Section 1: Plan Summary

Section 1: Plan Summary
In late June of 2005, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission was requested by
the Town of Sturbridge to assist in the update of its Open Space and Recreation Plan. Updating
the plan was initially driven by the Town’s intention of applying for a Self-Help grant during the
2005 Fiscal Year. During the update process, the Open Space Committee in concert with other
relevant municipal entities recognized the opportunity to establish a broad-based planning
process that would examine land use more comprehensively.
Previous to the update effort, a citizen survey was completed in late 2004 as part of a municipal
strategic planning exercise. The survey used a targeted random sample approach and was sent to
246 Sturbridge households, out of which 197 responded (an 80% response rate). In terms of open
space and recreation, the survey contained the following results:
• Most residents (72%) believe the environmental resources of the town are being
adequately protected and 93% indicated that it was important for development to be
designed and sited to protect significant water, plant and animal habitats.
• Most residents (79%) felt the town should actively pursue the town-wide trail system that
is currently underway.
• Most residents (95%) felt that the historic assets of the community should be protected.
• Most residents (85%) felt the town should be working to acquire open space.
• Most residents (88%) felt the town should provide flexible design to encourage open
space in subdivisions.
• Most residents indicated an interest in seeing that recreation programs were funded
through user fees (51%) or a combination of user fees and property taxes (40%).
The Town’s Open Space Committee also sponsored an open space and recreation public forum
on October 6, 2005 to solicit input on the goals and objectives for this plan. At the forum, the
following open space and recreation goals were presented to the public and discussed in detail:
1. Preserve community character

2. Acquire land for conservation, recreation and other municipal purposes
3. Provide recreational opportunities for all residents
4. Create a multi-objective town-wide trails and greenways system
Analysis of the inventory of protected and unprotected land revealed that, although the Town has
been very fortunate in having the state and federal governments protect a great deal of open
space, Sturbridge actually owns and controls very little land itself. Efforts of residents to create
additional passive and active recreational facilities to address the needs of a growing and
changing population have been complicated by the relative lack of Town-owned land.
Additionally, the Town has little influence over state and federal decisions and policies relating
to the land they own and control. In comparing Sturbridge to some other communities in
Massachusetts, we find the percentage of Town-owned conservation and recreation land is lower
than the average of such lands in towns surveyed.
As in the last iteration of this Plan in 1998, the Committee remains concerned about the amount
of land for active recreation purposes and is recommending that the Town’s Recreation
Committee and Public Works Department join together to perform a Level of Service (LOS)
analysis for Sturbridge’s active recreation facilities. With the anticipated growth in population,
the demand for recreation facilities will no doubt increase and the Town would benefit from
conducting its own LOS analysis instead of relying on national standards that have little
applicability to Sturbridge. In fact, the National Recreation and Parks Association no longer
promotes population-based recreation standards and now encourages communities to utilize the
LOS analysis method.
In completing the Plan, our research showed that although the Town’s rate of growth seems
moderate, it has averaged over 20% growth each decade from 1920 through 1990, slowed down
considerably during the 1990s, and has since increased again. In the last five years alone the
Town has issued building permits for 459 new residential structures. Sturbridge needs to plan for
the preservation of its open spaces and the provision of recreation facilities for its citizens now
before new development precludes such opportunities.
This document is not a plan in the true sense of reflecting a data collection effort, analyzing that
data, integrating data with the attitudes and beliefs of the residents, making conclusions, laying
out an implementation strategy and detailing work items. It instead lists various issues that need
further discussion by Town boards and the residents and suggests a path towards a coordinated,
integrated implementation strategy. The plan proposes a series of actions for implementation.
The five most critical actions are:
1. The Planning Board works on the flexible development provisions within the
Zoning Bylaw and consider the impacts of up-zoning for the purpose of protecting
open space.
2. The Open Space Committee continues its ongoing dialogue with the Community
Preservation Act Committee concerning lands currently within the various
Chapter 61 programs prior to their withdrawal (i.e., exercising the Town’s right-
of-first-refusal for open space acquisition).
3. The Planning Board continues with its efforts to incorporate trail design and
increased landscaping and buffering requirements within its Subdivision
Regulations.
4. The Open Space Committee study programs for the preservation of agricultural
and forest lands.
5. The Recreation Committee continues to develop a strategy/policy to provide
additional active and passive recreation opportunities for all Sturbridge residents.
The majority of work items relate to these five major actions. It is through reading this plan in its
entirety, continuing with the resolution of issues and development of policies, and by
implementing the work items in the Action Plan that the plan comes together and becomes a
Plan.
Section 2: Introduction
Sturbridge is a scenic, attractive community in the southwest corner of Worcester County. Since
Sturbridge is home to “Old Sturbridge Village,” a nationally known interpretative museum, and
Wells State Park, tourism is a substantial portion of the Town’s economy. The Town’s residential
population has grown substantially during the 20th century, increasing an average of 21.8% each
decade from 1930 to 1990, slowing down considerably during the 1990s, and then returning to
double-digit growth during the last five years. As the population increased and continues to
increase, open space will be increasingly important to maintain the landscapes and natural
features valued by the Town’s residents as well as the many tourists who visit. Historically,
growth occurred in the town’s villages, particularly Fiskdale on the western end of the Route 20-
Quinebaug River corridor, although development in the latter part of the 20th century, especially
residential development, has been scattered throughout town.
A. Statement of Purpose
Although many of the goals of the Town’s 1995-2000 Open Space Plan have been accomplished,
with the onset of recent development projects, there has been an increasing awareness of the
need to “do something” about open space in Town. The popularity and success of trails in other
communities has spurred local interest in trail development. The opportunity to create a trail
along the Quinebaug River, one of the Town’s most important environmental and scenic
resources, has provided further motivation for open space planning. As open land disappears and
the population increases, open space and trails will be increasingly important to maintain the
landscapes and natural features valued by both residents of the Town of Sturbridge as well as the
many tourists who visit.
Sturbridge retains much of its natural beauty in the hills, woods, lakes and ponds that
characterize the Town. Its past is present at every turn from the Town Common and cemeteries to
the cellar holes and stone walls standing as silent reminders of past hopes and dreams. Tourism is
a major industry in the community and the need to preserve the community’s character and
appearance is an essential part of maintaining the Town’s economic base and viability, as well as
a key ingredient in its economic development efforts.
The Town of Sturbridge itself does not own very much in the way of conservation land.
Significant State land holdings, from Wells State Park and recent acquisitions by the State’s
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife as well as federal land holdings in the form of flood easements
protect portions of the Town from development. Active recreation activities are housed at Town
and regional School Department facilities as well as Town lands under the control of the Board
of Selectmen. To increase the amount of conservation and passive recreation land and to provide
for the maintenance, improvement and development of active recreation areas, Open Space
efforts need to be incorporated in the Town’s ongoing capital planning process.
The purpose of this Plan is to reassess the Town’s past open space and recreation goals,
determine what’s been accomplished, ascertain changes since the previous Plan was written and
adopted and continue to plan for future open space and recreation needs.
When complete, this 2005 Open Space and Recreation Plan will:
 Articulate the goals and objectives for open space preservation, and active and passive
recreation opportunities in the Town of Sturbridge,
 Provide a comprehensive planning document to give direction to Town boards,
committees and citizens in planning for the open space and recreation needs of the
community, and
 Begin the process of reviewing Town bylaws, regulations and policies to determine their
impact on Open Space preservation.
B. Planning Process and Public Participation
The Sturbridge Open Space Committee used two methods of obtaining the public’s participation
in the preparation of this document: a citizen survey conducted in late 2004 as part of a
municipal strategic planning exercise and a public forum held at the Town Hall on October 6,
2005. The Committee used the results of the survey and input from the forum in the development
of the Plan’s goals/objectives (Section 8 of this document) and the five-year action plan (Section
9 of this document). With only a few exceptions, the Committee met on a monthly basis
throughout the plan’s preparation and all meetings were advertised and open to the public.
Members of the Committee were responsible for much of the research contained in this plan, and
contributions were received from the Town Administrator, Town Planner, Assessor’s Office,
Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee, Public
Works Department and the Historical Commission. The Central Massachusetts Regional
Planning Commission (CMRPC) provided technical assistance in assembling the plan’s various
elements.
Section 3: Community setting
Sturbridge is a suburban-rural community located at the junction of Interstate 84, Interstate 90

and US Route 20 in south-central Massachusetts on the Connecticut-Massachusetts boundary. A
major tourism destination, the Town is noted for its historic character and natural beauty.
A. Regional Context
Sturbridge is surrounded by the Towns of Brimfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Holland,

Southbridge, Union, CT and Woodstock, CT. Sturbridge sits in a strategic “area of influence,”
with Worcester being 22 miles to the northeast, Springfield 23 miles to the west, Providence and
Hartford each 40 miles to the south, and Boston 55 miles to the east. Sturbridge’s location and
highways provides convenient access to the Town and supports a thriving day tourism industry.
In addition to various tourism-related businesses, the Town promotes its favorable location for
other forms of economic development. The 1988 Master Plan said: “Sound economic growth
should be sought by providing for the ‘labor force’ segment of the Sturbridge population,
supplying broad employment opportunities and a diversified economic base.”
Sturbridge’s geographic location and natural amenities offer a unique opportunity to provide
linkages in a regional open space corridor/multi-use trail greenway system. The Central
Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission investigated the feasibility of this trail connection
in its 2001 study entitled, Southwest Subregion Inter-Community Trail Connection Feasibility
Study. The Mid State Trail could be linked coming from the north through Wells State Park and
there are two options for linking Wells State Park with the Wolf Swamp Wildlife Management
Area to the northwest in Brookfield. Further creative linkage efforts could provide greenway
access to state parks and important open space and view sheds throughout Massachusetts,
Connecticut and even Rhode Island. The 2000 inclusion of nine Massachusetts communities
(including Sturbridge) into the Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage
Corridor has resulted in additional opportunities for trail linkages and resources.
Presently retail development is generally limited to tourist specialty stores, although Route 20
contains a few small shopping plazas, and a larger shopping center that contains several national
retail stores and restaurants. There is also a shopping plaza on Route 131 (south of the Town
Common area) containing a Shaw’s Supermarket, JC Penney and some smaller stores, primarily
supplying goods for local residents.
Some of the communities east of Sturbridge are experiencing high levels of residential
development, most notably the Town of Charlton, which has averaged 92 new dwelling units per
year during the last five years (the same annual average as Sturbridge for the last five years).
With the excellent transportation access that Sturbridge enjoys to all points in New England, it
seems inevitable that any upcoming development boom will include Sturbridge in a significant
manner.
B. History of the Community1
A little more than three hundred years ago, an Indian trader on his way to the Connecticut Region
unexpectedly encountered some of the “Tantiusque Indians” who showed him some samples of a
“black rock.” These proved to be specimens of graphite (which was commonly called “lead” at
that time as it is today in pencils). The discovery of the mine developed interest in what was
then known as the “Lead Mine Region.” Beginning in 1658, and for many years thereafter, the
region was intermittently engaged in mining. In 1729, petition was made to the general court to
open the land for settlement. The request was granted that year with the following stipulations,
“in seven years time from this date to settle and have actually on the spot, fifty families, each of
which is to build a house of eighteen feet square at least; to break up and bring fit to plowing
seven acres of land; to settle a learned, orthodox minister . . .” This then was the beginning of the
Town of Sturbridge which was named in honor of some of its early settlers whose origins were in
the Town of Stourbridge, England. The town was formally incorporated as the Town of
Sturbridge in 1738 and held its first Town Meeting in September 1738.
By 1742 the Town had organized its first school. Three schoolhouses were built by 1753.
Eventually 13 school districts were established in town. About 1770, Colonel Ebenezar Crafts
built the “hotel” now known as the “Publick House”, which underwent a restoration in 1937, at
which time a new front entrance of colonial design replaced the former front door.
By 1795, the Town was actively settled and contained 14 sawmills, 4 grist mills and shops
producing carriages, pistols, chairs, tables and looms as well as thriving farms. In 1812, the
Sturbridge Manufacturing Company started the first cotton mill in town, which operated until
1882 when it was struck by lightning and destroyed. In 1826, the Quinebaug Manufacturing
Company was established and a mill was constructed in the Fiskdale section to produce cotton
and woolen materials. In 1833, a second mill was built and several tenement houses were erected
to house mill workers. In 1852, the Snell Manufacturing Company erected a factory in the
Fiskdale section to produce augers and bits, which supplemented older buildings that had been
operating on the same site. In 1895, fire destroyed two of the original buildings and in 1909 the
third, and newest building was likewise burned. These were subsequently replaced by the most
recent Snell Manufacturing Company building, also located in Fiskdale.
From the Town’s founding through the 19th century, Sturbridge was primarily an agricultural
community. Agriculture continued as a significant factor in the local economy through the 19 th
century. The 1859 report of the Worcester South Agricultural Society lists 152 members from
Sturbridge (compared with 48 members from Charlton, 10 from West Brookfield and 30 from
Dudley). Of the 262 listings for real property in the 1875 Sturbridge Assessors’ Report, 40% (or
106) list a farm as part of the valuation. An indication of the decline of agriculture in Sturbridge
was included in the 1936 Selectmen’s report which explains that the Highway Department work
has now become a year round function “because we find now that we have living in the outside
districts people who are dependent entirely upon our highways from transportation to and from
the different industrial plants for their living.”
1
Excerpted in large part from the Town’s 1971 Master Plan, with additions and corrections by Selectman Charles
Blanchard and others.
In 1937, the “Quinebaug Village” was begun as a model New England Village of the year 1800.
The Town of Sturbridge was selected as the locale for this model because of its charm and the
beauty of its surroundings. In 1947, the project was taken over by “Old Sturbridge Village” and
has experienced continual growth in scope since that time. In 1966, Old Sturbridge Incorporated
acquired approximately 1,000 acres of land adjacent to the present “Village” and is now the
largest nongovernmental landowner in the Town. The presence of the Village, as well as the
town’s crossroads location, helped Sturbridge develop a service economy and provided the
opportunity for diversification.
Now known as the “Gateway to New England” due to its location on key lines of transportation,
it appears that Sturbridge is now on the cusp of a new phase of historic development--agriculture,
manufacturing, tourist/service, bedroom/commuter.
More recent years have seen the Town of Sturbridge take on the characteristics of a suburban,
residential community as it continues to attract new families who are employed in the local
industries or who find the commutation to more distant areas increasingly convenient due to the
development of the excellent highway network serving the general area. The recent completion
of the Route 146 interchange with the Massachusetts Turnpike has resulted in increased market
interest in Sturbridge for residential development. The Town’s scenic qualities and other
amenities that are valued by today’s residents could prove an incentive for additional residential
development.
Town Hall
C. Population Characteristics
A comparison between the 1970, 1980, 1990 and 2000 US Census data shows double-digit
increases for each decade up until 1990, and then a very modest increase of barely 1% between
1990 and 2000. Most residents would insist that the Town’s development pressures have
increased unabated during the last decade; however, both the Year 2000 US Census population
count (7,837 residents) and Town Clerk population count (7,892 residents) would indicate
otherwise. This seems to have been a temporary respite, as the Town’s population has again
grown by double-digits (13.4%) in just the last five years. According to the Sturbridge Town
Clerk’s annual census, the Town’s population now stands at 9,050. This represents an increase of
over 1,150 new residents since 2000. Comprised of 37.41 square miles, Sturbridge’s average
persons per square mile now stands at 209. Compared to its neighbors in terms of population
density: Brookfield (197), East Brookfield (214), Charlton (265), Sturbridge falls somewhere in
the middle. Now that the Route 146 interchange is complete, it appears that the Town’s
attractiveness as a place to live has only increased, as it has become much easier and faster to get
to Sturbridge than ever before.
Perhaps the best indication of the level of growth in Town is an examination of its building
permit data. Between 2000 and 2005, the Town issued building permits for 459 new residences.
This five-year figure is almost double the number of building permits issued during the entire
decade of the 1990s (284 building permits). Thus, it is clearly evident that after a brief lull,
development in Sturbridge is back in full swing. The recently updated population projections of
the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission indicate that Sturbridge will grow to
9,500 residents in 2010 and 9,800 residents in 2020, although these figures may be a bit low
considering the recently heightened rate of development.
Table 1 – Sturbridge Population Growth
1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
STURBRIDGE 1,573 1,772 2,227 2,805 3,604 4,878 5,976 7,775 7,837 9,991 11,145
PERCENT INCREASE 11.2% 20.4% 20.6% 22.2% 26.1% 18.4% 23.1% 0.1% 21.6% 10.4%
1920-2000 US Census; 2010-2020 CMRPC estimates.
POPULATION OF STURBRIDGE
12,000
10,000
Population
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
1920 1940 1960 1980 2000
The population increases are primarily families (especially families with young and school-aged
children). More families with children increase the demand on existing recreation facilities and
ultimately results in a demand for additional recreational areas and amenities. Because of market
factors and the cost of housing, families tend to be higher income than historically lived in
Sturbridge. These families may expect more plentiful and diverse recreational amenities
available in their community, particularly if they have relocated from a suburban or urban place
with recreation and other municipal amenities.
The US Census data clearly indicates that the older segments of the Town’s population are
growing faster than the younger segments. In 1990, the Town’s elderly population (residents over
65 years of age) accounted for 12% of the community’s total population; by 2000, the elderly
accounted for 13.4% of the community’s total population. More telling is the growth in the “soon
to be seniors” population (45-64 years of age). In 1990, the soon to be seniors accounted for 19%
of the total population, and by 2000 this age group accounted for 26.3% of the total population.
The growth in the Town’s older population segments mirrors a phenomenon occurring across the
nation: the “graying of America”, that is, our nation’s elderly population (defined as 65 years of
age and over) is expanding at a faster rate than the younger population categories. The increase
in the Town’s median age also bears this out. In 1990, the median age of a Sturbridge resident
was 34.6 years of age; by 2000, the median age had increased to 39.3 years of age. The
demographic trends indicate that additional recreation facilities and activities for seniors will be
needed during the next decade. The increase in the senior population spurs the need for passive
forms of recreation such as walking trails and parks.
The tables below include various demographic data from the 2000 US Census. The statistics
show the Town to be comprised of overwhelmingly white, predominantly family households that
are middle income.
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Town of Sturbridge
(2000 US Census)
Age Distribution Race & Ethnicity
Persons % Persons %
Under 5 468 6.0 White 7,657 97.7
5-19 1,677 21.3 Black 49 0.6
20-44 2,572 33.0 Indian, Eskimo or Aleut 39 0.5
45-64 2,068 26.3 Asian or Pacific Islander 10 1.3
65 & Over 1,052 13.4 Hispanic Origin 102 0.5
Other 38 0.5
Households by Type Income Distribution
Households % Households %
Married Couple Family 1,860 60.7 Less than $10,000 85 3.8
Male Householder 85 0.7 $10,000 - $14,999 51 2.3
Female Householder 268 8.7 $15,000 - $24,999 157 7.0
Non-Family Household 853 27.8 $25,000 - $34,999 204 9.1
$35,000 - $49,999 335 14.9
Median Household Income $50,000 - $74,999 484 21.5
Sturbridge: $64,455 $75,000 - $99,999 350 15.6
State Rank: 155 $100,000 or more 581 25.9
% of State Average: 127.6%
Per Capita Income

Sturbridge: $25,559
State Rank: 162
% of State Average: 98.5%
Industries:
Sturbridge is an international tourist destination known for Old Sturbridge Village. Retail and
other service businesses have successfully spun off this tourist industry, which includes hotels,
motels, numerous restaurants, fast-food chains, and shopping. This provides some of the
employment in the area as well. Other industries which provide local employment include fiber
optic and laser technology businesses.
Jobs:
According to the most recent statistics of the Massachusetts Division of Career Services, there
were 288 business establishments in Sturbridge as of 2005, employing an average monthly total
of 4,618 people. Sturbridge’s service industry had the highest number of these jobs, followed by
the professional and technical industry.
Labor Force:
DETMA statistics further indicate that Sturbridge had a labor force of 4,740 workers as of
December 2005, with an unemployment rate of 3.7% (lower than the State average of 5.8%, and
lower than the Worcester County average of 6.7%). Sturbridge’s unemployment rate has
fluctuated wildly during the past 14 years, with a low of 2.9% in 2001 and a high of 8.4% in
1991.
D. Growth Patterns
While residential development in Sturbridge used to be town wide and industrial development
existed along the Quinebaug River, the introduction of the Turnpike and Interstate 84 along with
several US Routes has changed this settlement pattern significantly. Due to ease of access,
industrial and commercial growth exists along the main US Routes, which run through
Sturbridge, Routes 20 and 131. Residential areas are centered around lakes and ponds and along
the collector roads, which run into the numbered highways. Less residential development exists
on the outskirts of Town.
Water and sewer service exists throughout the central section (urbanized portion) of Town. At
present the system has expanded to include the majority of Main Street beginning at Riverview
Ave and proceeding easterly on Route 20 to the Route 20/131 intersection, then turning
southeasterly on Route 131 to the Southbridge Town line. The system also serves the Tantasqua
Regional High School on Route 148 approximately three miles north of Route 20. Other areas in
Town that have water and sewer utilities to various degrees are: Fiske Hill Road, south of
Summit Ridge; the perimeter of Cedar Lake; the perimeter of Big Alum; the Technology Park
industrial area; portions of Arnold Road, Cedar Street and New Boston Road.
The Town is currently studying issues related to size, age and efficiency of it’s existing
wastewater treatment plant and may investigate a change in the NPDES (National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System) discharge permit from 750,000 gallons per day (gpd) to
1,000,000 gpd if financially feasible and approvals are received from the State Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Town is also proceeding with plans to secure an additional well withdrawal point off
Shattuck Road in order to stabilize maintenance needs within the water system. The Town is
trying to expand/improve existing utilities while maintaining a fairly stable user fee schedule at
the same time. Fees have gone up within the last few years; however they remain compatible
within the region.
The Town currently has a floodplain district, which does not allow building in the flood plain.
Sturbridge adopted a groundwater protection overlay district in 2002 that delineates contribution
areas to the Town’s water supply wells and places use restrictions on these areas. While the Town
technically does not have a cluster housing or open space subdivision design option in its Zoning
Bylaw, there is a provision for multiple dwelling projects that requires 10% of the land to be left
as open space and limits the amount of impervious surface for such developments to 25% of the
total lot area. Adjacent land use with the surrounding towns is primarily open/recreational space
with minimal or no development. Future development has been sought along Route 20 east of
Interstate 84. There is a shopping center along Route 20, close to its intersection with Route 49.
Many of the Town’s long-range planning efforts are being concentrated in largely undeveloped
areas such as the Route 15 corridor, which runs north/south through town. The Town will
continue looking at buildout numbers and scenarios under existing and proposed zoning to
determine best use of this area. Protecting scenic value along this corridor, which is an
impressive gateway into Massachusetts from Connecticut, is very important.
Sturbridge’s town center consists of a town hall, library, post office, churches and a town
common. The Town's commercial center of activity is located along Route 20 west of Interstate
84. There is a benefit of having the Town's institutional/symbolic center “off of the beaten path."
At present, the Town Common is used for community concerts (at the gazebo-style bandstand)
and other local events, and is also used as a passive recreation area with benches. Because of
existing and open lands around the center, there is an opportunity to create green areas that buffer
and protect the center from the noise and presence of the highways just north and east.
Sturbridge experienced a high level of residential growth in the 1980s, a leveling off during the
1990s, and then back to double-digit growth during the last five years. The Town’s favorable
location, demand for homes, low interest rates and the local amenities may show increased
demands for new homes in Town.
Year Structure Built Dwelling units authorized by building permits

(US Census) (Sturbridge Building Department)
Timeframe Units % Year Permits
1990-1999 419 12.6 2000 53
1980-1989 933 28.0 2001 62
1970-1979 540 16.2 2002 102
1960-1969 419 12.6 2003 125
1940-1959 531 15.9 2004 87
1939 or earlier 493 14.8
A comparison of land use maps from the years 1971, 1985 and 1999 shows the amount of land
converted to residential use during a span of 28 years. Most of the land used for new
development between 1971 and 1999 came out of forestlands and, to a lesser extent, farmlands.
The data on the following chart is from the University of Massachusetts - Amherst from its most
recent statewide land use mapping effort (1999) and its two previous efforts from 1985 and 1971.
The classification “other” includes forested areas, vacant/unused land, wetlands (though water
bodies are included in the last) and other land that does not seem to be actively used. Urban open
land includes parks, cemeteries and other developed open spaces. Transportation is land used for
transportation purposes. In Sturbridge, this represents the land devoted to roadway rights-of-way
and would also include trucking terminals, etc. A comparison of the land use data indicates a
substantial increase in residential, industrial and commercial development, and a substantial loss
of forest and farmlands between 1971 and 1999.
LAND USE CLASSIFICATION
LAND USE 1971 1971 1985 1985 1999 1999 % Increase

acres of % of acres of % of land acres of % of land (1971-99)
land land total land total land total
Other 20,337 81.6% 19,754 79.3% 17,925 71.9% -11.9%
Agriculture 983 3.9% 814 3.3% 707 2.8% -28.1%
Urban open 192 0.8% 192 0.8% 192 0.8% 0.0%
Waste disposal 49 0.2% 49 0.2% 49 0.2% 0.0%
Water 961 3.9% 963 3.9% 963 3.9% 0.0%
Commercial 118 0.5% 154 0.6% 239 1.0% +102.5%
Industrial 45 0.2% 57 0.2% 63 0.3% +40.0%
Mining 83 0.3% 115 0.5% 95 0.4% +14.5%
Recreation 134 0.5% 151 0.6% 177 0.7% +32.1%
Transportation 697 2.8% 714 2.9% 723 2.9% +3.7%
Residential 1,326 5.3% 1,886 7.6% 2,594 10.4% +95.6%
Source: MacConnell “map-down” land use analyses, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
A graphic depiction of Sturbridge’s zoning scheme can be found on the following page as Map 1
(Zoning Map).
Transportation Systems:
Sturbridge is known as “The Gateway to New England” due to its positioning at intersections of
Routes I-84, Route 20 and the Massachusetts Turnpike. This makes Sturbridge a desirable
community in which to live given its access to commuter points east, west and south for work,
shopping and recreation opportunities.
The 6-lane Massachusetts Turnpike serves as the major east – west highway, with Route 20
serving as a more built-up, service-oriented 4-lane highway which parallels the Massachusetts
Turnpike. At times, it functions as an alternate route when the Turnpike is congested. In
Sturbridge, Route 20 bisects the town running east to west, and is the site of numerous shopping
plazas, hotels, motels, service industries and restaurants. Single family homes remain, some
which are slowly being converted to retail and service businesses.
“Collector” roads such as New Boston Road, Cedar Street & Arnold Road, and Routes 131, 49,
and 148 intersect with Route 20. There is increased traffic on these collector roads due to
increased development in the town, which causes heavy traffic at commuter hours in the morning
and late afternoon.
Route 20 currently provides decent mobility, but it still has a high development potential which
could cause more congestion in the future. The Sturbridge Route 20 Study Committee recently
concluded its meetings and has included its findings in the town’s updated Strategic Plan.
I-84 terminates in Sturbridge at the Massachusetts Turnpike interchange. This gives easy access
to the bordering state of Connecticut, including Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks,
CT, and also to the state of New York.
Maximum Build-Out and Ecological Impacts:
In 1999, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) began a

statewide effort to prepare a buildout analysis for each community in the State. A buildout
analysis attempts to determine the number of developable lots and the town’s total population at
full buildout, that is, if the town were completely developed under the standards of current
zoning. Existing developed lands, protected lands and land with environmental constraints are
taken out of the equation, and the remaining developable land is divided by the standards of the
local zoning bylaw. The regional planning commissions were contracted to perform buildout
studies for each community in their respective regions.
In Sturbridge’s case, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC)

completed a buildout analysis for the Town in early 2000. A summary of the Sturbridge buildout
analysis is presented on the following page. The first section details the amount of new
development that Sturbridge could accommodate if its remaining vacant developable land were
fully built out, while the second section adds the buildout potential to Sturbridge’s current land
use figures to estimate what Sturbridge would look like upon achieving full buildout.
Table 8
Sturbridge Buildout Analysis
Remaining Acres of Vacant, Developable Land: 13,742

Additional New Residential Housing Lots: 7,985
Additional New Population: 20,998
Additional New School-Age Children: 6,085
Total House Lots at Full Buildout: 11,320
Total Population at Full Buildout: 28,835
Total School-Age Children: 7,552
Source: CMRPC Buildout Analysis for Sturbridge, 2000.
Sturbridge’s buildout analysis indicates that the Town is slightly less than one third (27%) of the
way towards full buildout under the current standards of the zoning bylaw. Enough vacant
developable land exists to more than triple the Town’s population and number of housing units. It
should be noted that a buildout analysis does not attempt to determine when a community will
reach full buildout; rather, it is simply an attempt to determine what a community would look
like if its remaining vacant land were developed according to the town’s current zoning
standards. The town could alter its buildout results by making changes to dimensional
requirements for new lots (lot size, frontage) or by permanently protecting more land in town.
Thus a buildout analysis is fluid and represents but a snapshot in time. Between 2000 and 2005,
the Town issued building permits for 459 new residences. This five-year figure is almost double
the number of building permits issued during the entire decade of the 1990s (284 building
permits).
The impact of this buildout on the town’s resources, natural and manmade, will have negative
impacts. Ecologically speaking, consuming large amounts of open space and farmland with
development will overburden the existing infrastructure by overcrowding the school system,
requiring new schools to be built, by withdrawing excessive groundwater, and by increasing
traffic. These changes to the landscape, once completed, are irreversible. As housing tracts and
strip malls replace open spaces and critical wildlife habitats, resource-based activities, such as
farming, forestry, tourism and recreation also suffer. Maintaining the quality of life in Sturbridge
is important to residents. In 2001, Sturbridge passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA).
The CPA promotes historical preservation, affordable housing and the acquisition of open space.
Sturbridge’s zoning scheme is comprised of ten districts, the tenth being a Wireless Overlay
District. The Rural-Residential (RR) District covers approximately two thirds of the Town’s land
area, primarily on the outskirts of the town center radiating to its borders. It dominates the north
and south ends of town. The RR District’s most prominent use is single-family homes and the
minimum lot size requirement is one acre. The Suburban Residential (SR) district covers most of
the town’s secondary and connector roads as they radiate from Route 20. Single-family homes
also predominate the SR district which requires .75 acres minimum lot size, but because of the
presence of municipal infrastructure, a half acre lot size is allowed if the lot is serviced by town
water and sewer. Along most portions of Route 20 in Sturbridge, the land is zoned Commercial.
Two sites on Routes 20 and 15 are zoned Commercial 2. There is a fairly large section of Route
15 zoned “Special Use”. Select areas along Route 20, primarily those within proximity of Old
Sturbridge Village, are zoned Commercial-Tourist and Historic Commercial. These zoning
bylaws are intended to keep the size and type of building compatible with Sturbridge’s tourist
trade. Sturbridge also has General Industrial and Industrial Park zoning districts, which are
meant to confine such uses away from residential and historical aspects of the town. A graphic
depiction of Sturbridge’s zoning scheme is presented on the following page (Sturbridge Zoning
Map).
Sturbridge is in process of updating its Strategic Plan, and will most likely retain its present land
use pattern of scattered and dispersed development surrounding corridors of suburban residential
clusters, and strip roadside development concentrated along Route 20.
Insert Zoning Map Here (1)
Section 4: Environmental Inventory & Analysis
A. Geology, Soils and Topography
Sturbridge, situated in the southwest corner of Worcester County, exhibits the geo-morphological
results that are typically associated with glaciated landscapes in central New England. The
terrain is hilly with generally north to south oriented ridgelines that are interspersed with
extensive wetland systems in areas of lower relief. Large areas of the Town are overlain with
thick deposits of glacial till. There is, however, an important swath of stratified deposits that can
be found in the central part of Sturbridge from the northern boundary in the vicinity of South
Pond going southerly all the way to the Connecticut border. Elevations range from just over
1,115 feet above sea level, down to approximately 510 feet above sea level in the lowest areas.
The major stream is the Quinebaug River that bisects the Town flowing in a general west to east
direction from Brimfield into Southbridge. There are numerous smaller streams and vegetated
wetland areas distributed throughout the Town. The entire Town of Sturbridge is located within
the Quinebaug River watershed.
Sturbridge is located on the central plateau of Worcester County. The plateau as a whole is so
thoroughly dissected that large areas of smooth plateau surface do not exist within the county –
and certainly not within Sturbridge. The surface of the plateau is interrupted in many places by
hills rising higher than the general plateau elevation, which averages 800 to 900 feet in the
southern portions of the county. These hills are predominately small in area and consist largely of
elongated, rounded hills with the longer axes generally oriented north-to-south. Some of the hills
are piles of unconsolidated clay, gravel and sand, called “drumlins” by geologists. These
drumlins are the result of glacial activity in the past. The most recent glacier is estimated to have
retreated some 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. As the glacier melted and retreated, it dumped along
the receding face the load of boulders, stones and soils it gathered while moving southward. The
material left by the glacier is called glacial “till” and, with drumlins, constitute most of the land
surface area of Worcester County. Some of the hills within the central plateau consist of rock
hills with a thin layer of unconsolidated material covering them. Hills in Sturbridge, particularly
the southern section of town, are both types.
Much of the most easily developed land has been developed; road frontage lots without
development constraints such as wetland, ledge and unsuitable percolation tests for septic
systems are increasingly hard to find. The result has been the creation of large interior tracts of
land as yet inaccessible by road systems and still economically unattractive because of site
development costs. At some point the cost of development will be exceeded by the return on the
development. This will make these large tracts vulnerable to development pressures.
The soils in Sturbridge are generally unsuitable for agricultural purposes and many of the areas
with more suitable soils for agriculture have been developed residentially. According to the
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service report of 1998, Soil Survey of Worcester
County, Massachusetts, Southern Part, Sturbridge can be divided into six soils categories. A
graphic depiction of the Town’s soils can be seen on the following page as Map 2 (Soils Map).
Insert Soils Map Here (2)
• Paxton-Woodbridge-Ridgebury Soils: Nearly level to steep, very deep, well drained to
poorly drained soils on glaciated uplands. This soil type consists of soils on upland hills
and ridges dissected by many small drainage ways. Stones cover more than 3% of the
surface in most areas. The soils were formed in glacial till derived from schist, gneiss,
and granite. This is the predominant soil type found in Sturbridge, covering much of its
western half and the northeastern corner of Town.
• Brookfield-Brimfield Soils: Gently sloping to steep, very deep and shallow, well-drained
and somewhat excessively drained soils on glaciated uplands. This soil type consists of
soils on upland hills and ridges that have rock exposures throughout. Stones cover more
than 3% of the surface. The soils were formed in glacial till derived from micaceous
schist. This soil type covers a small section of the Town’s southeast corner.
• Freetown-Swansea-Saco Soils: Nearly level, very deep, very poorly drained soils on
uplands, outwash plains and floodplains. This soil type consists of soils on broad flats
that have small depressions. These soils are in old glacial lakes or small ponds adjacent to
streams. The soils were formed in organic deposits and alluvium. In Sturbridge, this soil
category is located along either side of Westville Lake and the Quinebaug River.
• Canton-Montauk-Scituate Soils: Nearly level to steep, very deep, well-drained soils on

glaciated uplands. This soil type consists of soils located on upland hills and rolling
glacial till flats. It is dissected by broad drainage-ways that flatten out on the lower
slopes. Stones cover more than 3% of the surface in most areas. The soils were formed in
friable glacial till. In Sturbridge, this soil category covers a large section in the south of
Town.
• Chatfield-Hollis Soils: Gently sloping to steep, moderately deep and shallow, well-
drained and somewhat excessively drained soils on glaciated uplands. This soil type
consists of soils on hills and ridges that have bedrock exposures throughout. Stones cover
more than 3% of the surface in most areas. The soils were formed in glacial till. In
Sturbridge, this soil category is found in two locations: a small area west of Walker Pond,
and another small area located between Hamant Brook and Breakneck Brook.
• Merrimac-Hinckley-Windsor Soils: Nearly level to steep, very deep, excessively drained

and somewhat excessively drained soils on outwash plains. This soil type consists of soils
located on broad, flat plains and in rolling to steep areas throughout the southern portion
of Central Massachusetts. The soils were formed in water-sorted deposits of glacial
outwash. In Sturbridge, this soil category appears as a series of thin strips in the center of
Town.
B. Landscape Character
Sturbridge is characterized by its abundance of natural features – the hills, woods, lakes, and
streams. The strong influence of the hills and their pronounced northeasterly-southwesterly
orientation, determines much of the land use and settlement patterns in the Town. The hilly and
forested aspects of the Sturbridge landscape offer many pleasant vistas and view sheds. Most
notable are those which include the Route 84/15 corridor as well as the Route 49 corridor and
portions of Route 20, particularly on the west end of town at the intersection of Route 148
continuing west to Long Pond along the Quinebaug River. Much of this area is threatened due to
limited protection and development pressures at the present time.
It is important for the Town to encourage partnerships with the State and organizations such as
Old Sturbridge Village, which controls approximately 1,224 acres, to provide protection for
existing and future areas, which are valued by the community. Where private and State
partnerships are not feasible, the Town needs to utilize grant funds and/or set up an open space
trust fund to purchase identified parcels as they become available. Now that the Town has
adopted the Community Preservation Act (a surcharge on real estate transactions), a portion of
the money raised under this initiative can be earmarked for the purpose of land preservation.
C. Water Resources
Sturbridge is part of the French & Quinebaug Rivers Watershed, bordered by the Chicopee River
Watershed on its northern town boundary. The French & Quinebaug Rivers Watershed and the
Quinebaug-Shetucket River Valley form the Thames River Watershed. The watersheds
encompass approximately 1,474 square miles of land area, 251 of which are located in
Massachusetts, and include all or part of 13 Massachusetts municipalities. The Quinebaug River
stretches about 65 miles, 19 in Massachusetts. The Quinebaug River Basin is located in
Hampden & Worcester Counties and contains all or part of 15 towns. The basins are heavily
forested, with some areas being more than 80% forest. The drainage area of the Quinebaug River
is about 154 mi2. The Quinebaug River basin contains 54 lakes and ponds, 31 of which have an
area of 10 acres or more. The largest lake is the East Brimfield Reservoir in Brimfield &
Sturbridge, which is 420 acres. In part, this area contains the headwater streams for the Shetucket
River, which is one of two major tributaries of the Thames River in Connecticut.
The most productive aquifers in the French & Quinebaug River basins are composed of glacial
sand and gravel outwash. Major aquifers, such as in the Quinebaug River valley, yield at least
300 gallons per minute to municipal wells and smaller aquifers. Bedrock in the French &
Quinebaug River basins is used as a source of water for domestic wells. Bedrock wells in the
basin yield from less than a gallon per minute to 210 gallons per minute.
These water resources are the lifeblood of many of our most scenic and fragile environments as
well as providing some of our favorite recreational areas. These same waters provide the water
we drink in our homes, businesses and industries on a daily basis.
Located within the Town are seven major open water bodies: Cedar Pond, Walker Pond,
Leadmine Pond, Big Alum Lake, East Brimfield Lake (Long Pond), Breakneck Pond and South
Pond. These are either wholly or partially within the boundaries of Sturbridge. Public access to
the major water bodies is available through either State or town owned properties. Also located
within the Town is a section of the Quinebaug River, which offers excellent potential for trail
linkages throughout the region. There are several large forested and unforested wetlands most
notably Hobbs Brook, McKinstry Brook and Breakneck Brook. The FEMA Map shows many
small north /south flood plain striations. The Town has adopted bylaws that limit construction in
floodplain areas. The Army Corps of Engineers owns land and easements within the floodplain
of the Quinebaug River totalling nearly 600 acres.
The Town has three municipal wells and there are 25 additional water systems registered with the
State Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that, because of the number of persons
served, are regulated as public water supplies under the federal Drinking Water regulations. The
Town owns most of the land falling within the Zone I contribution areas and what land they don’t
own is under the purview of the Army Corps of Engineers. Zone II contribution areas have been
delineated for all three municipal wells and have received DEP approval. The Town is in the
process of getting a fourth well approved. This well is located in the vicinity of Shattuck Road.
The well’s Zone II contribution area has been delineated and the DEP is currently reviewing said
delineation. Sturbridge adopted a local groundwater protection bylaw within its Zoning Bylaws
that limits the types of land uses permitted in these areas, as well as the amount of development
and impervious surface. A graphic depiction of the Town’s water resources can be found on the
following page as Map 3 (Water Resources Map).
The Town has adopted a local wetlands bylaw, which requires Commission review for
development within 200' of wetlands. The bylaw also affords protection for seasonal wetlands.
These regulations, in addition to the Rivers Protection Act, are having developers give serious
consideration to the Town’s wetland resources.
Insert Water Resources Map Here (3)
The Division of Fish and Wildlife has certified 33 vernal pools in Sturbridge (mostly located
within Wells State Park) and local conservationists believe there are many more scattered
throughout the community; in fact, there are 193 sites in Town that the State considers
“potential” vernal pools. Vernal pools are unique wildlife habitats best known for the amphibians
and invertebrate animals that use them to breed. Vernal pools, also known as ephemeral pools,
autumn pools and temporary woodland ponds, typically fill with water in the autumn or winter
due to rising groundwater and rainfall and remain ponded through the spring and into summer.
Vernal pools dry completely by the middle or end of summer each year, or at least every few
years. Occasional drying prevents fish from establishing permanent populations. Many
amphibian and invertebrate species rely on a breeding habitat that is free of fish predators. Some
vernal pools are protected in Massachusetts under the Wetlands Protection Act regulations as
well as several other federal and state regulations. The Natural Heritage Endangered Species
Program (NHESP) serves the important role of officially “certifying” vernal pools that are
documented locally. The locations of the State-certified vernal pools in Sturbridge can be seen on
Map 5 (Unique Features and Scenic Resources Map), further ahead in this document.
In addition to the scenic and unique environments identified by the residents as part of the
planning process for this document, it should be noted that Sturbridge contains a large swath of
land that has been identified by the NHESP as “Core Habitat” which is key for longterm survival
of aquatic, plant and wildlife species. In 2001, with funding from the EOEA, the NHESP
developed a BioMap for the entire Commonwealth in order to identify the areas most in need of
protection to ensure native biodiversity. The BioMap identified Core Habitat areas based on
verified data that corresponds to actual locations on the ground. The areas mapped were
determined by biologists to be those most suitable to support viable plant and wildlife species.
The NHESP’s Living Waters Project attempted to identify and map the State’s most critical sites
for maintaining freshwater aquatic biodiversity. These Core Habitat sites represent where the
State will focus its conservation priorities. In Sturbridge, the Core Habitats for aquatic, plant and
wildlife species appear in a large area in the south of Town and extending into neighboring
Southbridge. This Core Habitat area narrows as it approaches the center of town and then
extends northward into Wells State Park. The Living Waters Project has identified Big Alum
Lake, East Brimfield Lake and the Quinebaug River as water-related Core Habitat areas. A
graphic depiction of the Town’s Core Habitat areas can be seen on the following page as Map 4
(BioMap Core Habitat Areas).
D. Vegetation
Despite recent development trends, large portions of Sturbridge remain forested. Some important
open agricultural land is still undeveloped. The forest type is northern mixed hardwood with the
dominant tree species being red oak, white oak, red maple, white ash, white pine and eastern
hemlock. Of the nearly 18,000 acres of forested land, over half is predominantly large hardwood
stands. Nearly 1/3 is large mixed wood stands while less than 5% is mostly large conifer stands.
Insert Bio-Map Here (4)
Sturbridge also contains a variety of wetland habitats, each with its own distinctive plant
communities. Seasonally flooded basins occur primarily on stream flood plains and are
populated by grasses and herbaceous species. The shrub swamps contain a variety of woody
species including alder, buttonbush, dogwood and willow. The meadows contain numerous
grasses and sedges. The shallow marshes are home to a distinctive vegetation complex, which
includes cattails, bulrushes, burreed, pickerelweed and arrowhead. The deep marshes also have
water lilies and a variety of pondweeds.
There has been substantial loss of open farmland over the last fifty years. Some farmlands have
reverted to forest, but much has been developed residentially. A few large examples of typical
agricultural land do remain. A floral inventory for State listed species has been done at Wells
State Park with a few species identified within the park boundaries.
The Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program lists the following plant
species for Sturbridge (note the two plant species listed as “endangered”):
Taxonomic State Most Recent

Scientific Name Common Name Federal Rank
Group Rank Observation
Vascular Plant Adlumia fungosa Climbing Fumitory T 2000
Mountain
Vascular Plant Asplenium montanum E 1946
Spleenwort
Vascular Plant Clematis occidentalis Purple Clematis SC 1998
Corallorhiza
Vascular Plant Autumn Coralroot SC 1984
odontorhiza
Vascular Plant Eriophorum gracile Slender Cottongrass T 1997
New England
Vascular Plant Liatris borealis SC 1934
Blazing Star
Vascular Plant Lygodium palmatum Climbing Fern SC 1937
Platanthera flava var
Vascular Plant Pale Green Orchis T 1933
herbiola
Vascular Plant Poa languida Drooping Speargrass E 2000
Ranunculus
Vascular Plant Bristly Buttercup T 1997
pensylvanicus
State: E=Endangered, T=Threatened, SC=Special concern, WL=Unofficial watch list. Federal: LE= Federally
Endangered, LT=Federally Threatened
E. Fisheries and Wildlife
The large forested tracts and abundant wetland areas provide the necessary habitat requirements
for the typical flora and fauna of southern New England. There are frequent sightings of coyotes,
turkeys and white tailed deer. Fisher and bobcats are known to inhabit the town. Numerous
beaver impoundments have been created on many suitable sites, which Great blue Herons now
use as nesting sites. Moose and black bear sightings occur on an annual basis. State estimated
habitat maps indicate a number of sites where State-listed wetlands species exist. At Wells State
Park, a population of State-listed non-wetland endangered reptiles has been discovered. Field
research is currently underway to gather more information on this population. Because of the
large interior forested tracts, the potential for permanent wildlife corridors exists. Further
research will be needed to document corridors, habitats, and other features related to wildlife in
Town.
The State annually stocks Long Pond, Big Alum, Leadmine Pond and the Quinebaug River with
trout. Indigenous fish exist in other ponds and streams within the Town.
The most recent listing of the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species program
shows the following species existing in Sturbridge (note the two wildlife species listed by the
State as “endangered”, as well as the entry for the Indiana Myotis, which is listed as a “federally
endangered” species):
Taxonomic State Most Recent

Scientific Name Common Name Federal Rank
Group Rank Observation
Fish Notropis bifrenatus Bridle Shiner SC 1951
Marbled
Amphibian Ambystoma opacum T 1999
Salamander
Hemidactylium Four-Toed
Amphibian SC 1999
scutatum Salamander
Reptile Clemmys guttata Spotted Turtle SC 2001
Reptile Clemmys insculpta Wood Turtle SC 1997
Haliaeetus
Bird Bald Eagle E (PS:LT,PDL) 1999
leucocephalus
Mammal Myotis sodalis Indiana Myotis E LE 1938
Mammal Sorex palustris Water Shrew SC 1996
Alasmidonta
Mussel Triangle Floater SC 1999
undulata
Mussel Strophitus undulatus Creeper SC 1999
Mystic Valley
Crustacean Crangonyx aberrans SC 1997
Amphipod
Butterfly/Moth Callophrys hesseli Hessel's Hairstreak SC 1997
State: E=Endangered, T=Threatened, SC=Special concern, WL=Unofficial watch list. Federal: LE= Federally
Endangered, LT=Federally Threatened
F. Scenic resources and unique environments
The rural character of the Town is an essential part of both residential quality of life as well as
economic development. The long, straight stretch of Route 49 presents some serene travel
through wooded landscape and hilly terrain and also prevents the interruption of intersecting
roadways. Visitors and residents alike consider the entrance to Wells State Park particularly
scenic. The Park borders Walker Pond and boasts a spectacular view off Carpenter's Rock as well
as numerous recreational amenities from mountain biking to camping to swimming. The
Westville Recreation Area, shared with the Town of Southbridge, provides good fishing and has
several recreational fields and picnic areas. The Streeter Recreation Area provides a public
beach, boating, fishing and picnicking areas. Another unique and scenic area is the 266-acre
Opacum Woods, owned and maintained by Opacum Land Trust. Located close to Sturbridge
Center, this site is accessed via the trailhead at Old Brook Circle within the subdivision known as
“the Preserve”. The Woods contain a large beaver pond, historic and prehistoric sites, 3.5-miles
of walking trails, and allows for a variety of passive recreation opportunities. The Woods also
serves as habitat for a variety of wildlife species.
The Mass Turnpike corridor through Sturbridge is generally considered scenic, with rolling
wooded hills and views of water. South of the Turnpike and along the Brimfield town line, Long
Pond and the Quinebaug River provide both attractive vistas as well as recreation. While the land
along much of the Quinebaug River is privately controlled, access is usually tolerated and
several walking trails exist along its southern banks with views and great fishing. Scenic roads
run through much of the Town and from Fiske Hill Road and McGilpin Road, there are vistas of
the valley over Charlton.
Sturbridge is well known for its historic appearance, with the National Historic District located
around the Town Common. The district contains 42 historic buildings and structures. This area
also includes the Hobbs Brook Conservation Area, a valuable wetland estuary, which is home to
blue heron and many other species. On the south side of Town, the Trustees of Reservations
maintain a 77-acre tract known as the Tantuisques Leadmine, the site of the discovery of graphite
in 1633. This area features the mineshafts and tunnels where the graphite was extracted. Old
Sturbridge Village is a major cultural attraction and complements other historic areas in Town.
The expansiveness of the Breakneck area, which includes a large portion of the Southbridge
aquifer and also abuts portions of Nipmuck State Forest in Connecticut, may have sufficient
qualities to be considered an ACEC (Area of Critical Environmental Concern).
The Town's scenic features have been cited in survey after survey as one of the major reasons
that residents have moved to Sturbridge. The Town's hills, water bodies, and woodlands have all
been identified as scenic. The views along roads, the rural character, with stonewalls and stands
of trees, have been mentioned as scenic features as well. A graphic depiction of the Town’s
unique features and scenic resources can be found on the following page as Map 5 (Unique
Features and Scenic Resources Map).
Insert Unique Features and Scenic Resources Map
Here (5)
G. Environmental Problems
a. Surface water pollution
Aquatic weeds and the presence of fecal coliform have become concerns for the health of Cedar
Lake and the people who use Cedar Lake as a recreation resource. The Town, through feasibility
studies, determined that the best way to remedy the situation would be to install sewer lines
around the perimeter of Cedar Lake to eliminate the influx of contaminates from septic systems
into the lake. Over the last five years, the Town’s Public Works Department has extended sewer
lines along much of the lake’s shoreline and continues to monitor its water quality.
b. Identified Polluted Sites in Town
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection currently lists ninety-one 21E sites
(also known as “brownfields”) in Sturbridge; however, this list is a bit deceptive as it contains
multiple instances of contamination on a single property. The Town’s “brownfield” sites are as
follows:
Release
Release Notification Compliance RAO Chemical
Tracking Site Name/Location Aid Phase
Address Date Status Class Type
Number(RTN)
27
27 BROOKFIELD RD
2-0014915 BROOKFIELD 09/16/2003 RAO A1
UST
RD
319 TANTASQUA
PHASE
2-0012488 BROOKFIELD REGIONAL HIGH 11/10/1998 RAO A2 Oil
II
RD SCHOOL
BURGESS
45 BURGESS
2-0014436 ELEMENTARY 08/13/2002 RAO A1 Oil
SCHOOL RD
SCHOOL
2-0014875 175 CEDAR ST CEDAR ST POLE #47 08/13/2003 RAO A2
100
CARRIER
2-0015483 CHARLTON 11/14/2004 RAO A1 Oil
INDUSTRIES, INC.
RD
149
VILLAGE
2-0012570 CHARLTON 12/23/1998 RTN CLOSED Oil
AUTOMOTIVE
RD
149 Oil and
2-0012615 CHARLTON GIFFORD RD 01/19/1999 RAO A2 Hazardous
RD Material
149
VILLAGE PHASE
2-0000434 CHARLTON 10/15/1988 TIER 2
AUTOMOTIVE INC IV
RD
201
NEW ENGLAND
2-0013348 CHARLTON 06/30/2000 RTN CLOSED Oil
TRUCK STOP
RD
Release Release Site Name/Location Aid Notification Compliance Phase RAO Chemical
Tracking
Number(RTN)
201 Oil and
NEW ENGLAND
2-0015544 CHARLTON 12/29/2004 UNCLASSIFIED Hazardous
TRUCK STOP, INC
RD Material
315
T & S TRUCK
2-0015168 CHARLTON 03/19/2004 RAO A2 Oil
SERVICE
RD
CHARLTON NEW ENGLAND PHASE
2-0012387 09/08/1998 RAO A3 Oil
RD TRUCK STOP III
CHARLTON HALL ROAD 1700 FT
2-0012301 07/17/1998 RTN CLOSED
RD RTE 20 NORTH OF
CHARLTON
2-0012420 149 CHARLTON RD 09/25/1998 RTN CLOSED Oil
RD RTE 20
2-0013981 3 FALLS RD RESIDENCE 09/07/2001 RAO A1 Oil
126 FISKE
2-0011875 RESIDENCE 09/10/1997 RAO A2 Oil
HILL RD
51 HOLLAND MUIRFIELD Hazardous
2-0014724 04/04/2003 RAO A1
RD DEVELOPMENT Material
400 HAYNES STURBRIDGE ISLE
2-0015054 12/19/2003 RAO A1
RD TRUCK STOP/PILOT
LOTS 51 AND
FORMER US FILTER Hazardous
2-0014785 55 HOLLAND 06/27/2003 RAO A2
MUIRFIELD DEV Material
RD
MI MARKER 68E
2-0010197 MA TPKE BRIMFIELD/WARREN 02/17/1994 RAO A2 Oil
LINE
STURBRIDGE EXIT 9
2-0010512 MA TPKE 10/08/1994 RAO A1 Oil
PLAZA
2-0010531 MA TPKE APA TRUCK LEASING 11/01/1994 RAO A2 Oil
2-0010716 MA TPKE EXIT 9 03/31/1995 RAO A2 Oil
2-0010759 MA TPKE REST STOP 5E 05/05/1995 RAO A1 Oil
2-0011260 MA TPKE INTERCHANGE 9 06/03/1996 RAO A1 Oil
2-0012878 MA TPKE MM79 07/26/1999 RAO A1 Oil
2-0013011 MA TPKE MA TPK MM 78E 11/03/1999 RAO A2 Oil
MA TPKE @
2-0014107 NEAR TOLL BOOTHS 12/04/2001 RAO A1
EXIT 9
MA TPKE
MA TURNPIKE
2-0015114 EASTBOUND 02/05/2004 RAO A1
ROADWAY RELEASE
MM 75
MA TPKE
MILE
2-0014156 MARKER 79 EXIT 9 EASTBOUND 01/10/2002 RAO A2
Tracking Address Date Status Class Type
Number(RTN)
MA TPKE MM CARDINAL FREIGHT
2-0015244 05/10/2004 RAO A2 Oil
78 5 CARRIERS
MA TPKE RT BEATON ROADWAY
2-0014431 08/09/2002 RAO A1 Oil
84 AND RT 90 RELEASE
MA
2-0010379 MI MARKER 74.5 07/11/1994 RAO A1 Oil
TURNPIKE E
MA
2-0010566 MI MARKER 79.1 11/28/1994 RAO A2 Oil
TURNPIKE E
MA
2-0010783 MI MARKER 77 05/22/1995 RAO A1
TURNPIKE E
MA
2-0011424 MI MARKER 78 10/03/1996 RAO A2 Oil
TURNPIKE S
MA
TURNPIKE W
MA
TURNPIKE W
MA
2-0011425 500 FT OF EXIT 9 10/05/1996 RAO A2 Oil
TURNPIKE W
MA
TURNPIKE W
2-0010776 TRUCK ACCIDENT 05/11/1995 RAO A2 Oil
MI MARKER
78
RTE 131 PUBLICK
2-0014922 277 MAIN ST 09/22/2003 RAO A2 Oil
HOUSE
CARRIAGE HOUSE
2-0010184 358 MAIN ST 02/02/1994 RAO A1 Oil
INN
2-0013737 358 MAIN ST SUPER 8 MOTEL INC 03/19/2001 RAO A2 Oil
Oil and
2-0012177 361 MAIN ST LOT 15 04/03/1998 RAO A2 Hazardous
Material
MOBIL STATION #10
2-0010133 365 MAIN ST 12/28/1993 RAO A2 Oil
PUMP
Oil and
2-0015124 365 MAIN ST MOBIL STATION 02/11/2004 RTN CLOSED Hazardous
Material
MOBIL STATION 01- PHASE
2-0000797 365 MAIN ST 11/21/1990 REMOPS Oil
GX5 V
2-0014118 379 MAIN ST SOVERIGN BANK 12/13/2001 RAO A2 Oil
2-0013305 40 MAIN ST SUNOCO STA FMR 05/30/2000 RTN CLOSED Oil
IMPACTED
Hazardous
2-0014643 40 MAIN ST RESIDENCE 27 MAIN 01/27/2003 RTN CLOSED
Material
ST
JACKS GAS & AUTO Hazardous
2-0015366 40 MAIN ST 08/13/2004 UNCLASSIFIED
REPAIR Material
Tracking Address Date Status Class Type
Number(RTN)
SUNOCO GAS PHASE
STATION V
FORMER ARCO
STATION
2-0013995 41 MAIN ST SUNOCO STN 09/18/2001 RTN CLOSED Oil
ARLAND TOOL & PHASE
MANUFACTURING V
Oil and
PHASE
2-0010781 441 MAIN ST CPC ENGINEERING 05/15/1995 RAO B1 Hazardous
III
Material
WHEELABRATOR PHASE
TECH INC V
SOUTHBRIDGE
2-0014404 514 MAIN ST 07/23/2002 STMRET Oil
CREDIT UNION
MA ELECTRIC POLE
2-0014753 544 MAIN ST 05/03/2003 RAO A1
97
PHASE Hazardous
2-0013525 660 MAIN ST CORNING NET OPTIX 10/19/2000 TIER 1B
III Material
Hazardous
2-0014563 660 MAIN ST CORNING INC 11/21/2002 RTN CLOSED
Material
2-0010053 MAIN ST INTERSECTION 10/25/1993 RAO A2 Oil
2-0010121 MAIN ST MHD FACILITY 44 12/15/1993 RAO A1 Oil
Hazardous
2-0011148 MAIN ST MHD FACILITY 44 03/01/1996 RAO B1
Material
2-0012456 MAIN ST STURBRIDGE DEPOT 10/14/1998 RAO A2 Oil
11
KRUCZEK
2-0011264 MASHAPAUG 06/03/1996 TIER 1D Oil
RESIDENCE
RD
400
STURBRIDGE ISLE
2-0010151 MASHAPAUG 01/12/1994 RAO A1 Oil
TRUCK STOP
RD
400
STURBRIDGE ISLE
TRUCK STOP
RD
400
2-0011255 MASHAPAUG ROUTE 84 05/30/1996 RAO A1 Oil
RD
400
STURBRIDGE ISLE
TRUCK STOP
RD
400
STURBRIDGE ISLE
TRUCK STOP
RD
Release
Release Notification Compliance RAO Chemical
Tracking Site Name/Location Aid Phase
Number(RTN)
MASHAPAUG
2-0011099 STURBRIDGE MOBIL 02/08/1996 RAO A1 Oil
RD
MASHAPAUG MOBIL/STURBRIDGE
2-0011138 02/27/1996 RAO Oil
RD ISLE
71
MASHPAUG RD @
2-0014814 MASHPAUG 06/19/2003 RAO A1
POLE 28
RD
21 OLD
2-0013314 HAMILTON POLE NO 39 06/07/2000 RAO A2
ROAD EXT
RT 84 AT Hazardous
2-0012226 NO LOCATION AID 05/21/1998 RAO A1
RAMP Material
2-0014676 236 RTE 15 EXXON STATION 02/25/2003 RAO A1 Oil
STURBRIDGE ISLE PHASE
2-0013763 400 RTE 15 04/03/2001 RAO B1 Oil
XTRA MART II
STURBRIDGE ISLE
2-0014206 400 RTE 15 02/26/2002 RAO A1 Oil
TRUCKSTOP
2-0014659 400 RTE 15 DRAKE PETROLEUM 01/08/2003 RAO A2 Oil
RTE 15
MOBIL GAS ATLAS
2-0000276 MASHAPAUG 07/15/1987 DEPNFA
OIL 01QRC
RD
EASTBOUND NEAR
2-0010204 RTE 84 02/23/1994 RAO A1 Oil
REST AREA
2-0011355 RTE 84 CENTIMARK CORP 08/14/1996 RAO A1
2-0011893 RTE 84 AT INTERCHANGE 9 09/23/1997 RAO A1 Oil
2-0011905 RTE 84 STURBRIDGE ISLE 09/30/1997 RAO A2 Oil
2-0012394 RTE 84 W REST AREA AT EXIT 2 09/10/1998 RAO A1 Oil
2-0014524 RTE 84 W BETWEEN EXITS 2&3 10/25/2002 RAO A2 Oil
2-0011761 RTE 84E BTWN EXIT 3A 3B 06/12/1997 RAO A1 Oil
BEHIND STATE
2-0010175 RTE 84W 01/30/1994 TIER 1D Oil
POLICE BARRACKS
2-0011157 RTE 84W RAMP ON EXIT 1 03/13/1996 RAO A1 Oil
22 SECOND
2-0011805 RESIDENCE 06/09/1997 RAO A2 Oil
ST
The old municipal landfill site off Cedar Street has been capped. The current landfill is expected
to last another twenty years and eventually this site might be suitable to be renovated as an open
space area. The search has already begun for the location of the new landfill site.
c. Flood Control
The Army Corps of Engineers flood control system protects the area from severe flooding
associated with the Quinebaug River. Dams exist at the east and west ends of Town along the
Quinebaug River. Additionally the Town has a floodplain district bylaw that is very restrictive in
terms of development in the floodplain.
Section 5: Inventory
Introduction:
Article 97 of the State Constitution provides permanent protection for certain lands acquired for
natural resources purposes, meaning “conservation, development and utilization of the
agricultural, mineral, forest, water, air and other natural resources.” Lands of this nature are often
owned by the municipal conservation commission, recreation commission, water department, or
by a state or federal conservation agency (i.e., the EOEA or the Division of Fish & Wildlife).
Private, public and non-profit conservation and recreation lands are also protected under Article
97. Removing the permanent protection status of such lands is extremely difficult, as is
evidenced by the following required steps:
• The municipal conservation commission or recreation commission must vote that the
land in question is surplus to its needs;
• The removal of permanent protection status must be approved at a Town Meeting/City
Council vote and pass by a 2/3 vote;
• The municipality must file an Environmental Notification Form with the EOEA’s
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA);
• The removal of permanent protection status must be approved by the State Legislature
and pass by a 2/3 vote; and
• In the case of land either acquired or developed with grant assistance from the EOEA’s
Division of Conservation Services, the converted land must be replaced with land of
equal monetary value and recreational or conservation utility.
It is intentionally difficult to remove a property’s permanent protection status so that it may be

developed. Private lands can also be protected in perpetuity through deed restrictions or
conservation easements. Municipal lands under active use (schools, town halls, highway
department facilities, police/fire facilities, etc.) are not considered permanently protected, nor are
private lands that are within the State’s special taxation programs (Chapter 61).
Legally protected open space is important to a community so that as the community grows, there
will always be natural areas for humans and wildlife. It provides protection for our freshwater
resources, and it serves as the backbone for the local landscape for residents and visitors alike. It
can consist of wildlife habitat, forests, freshwater ponds, lakes and streams, farms, vernal pools,
or even a ball park. It is important to understand that a property’s designation as “open space”,
such as that which is listed under our inventory of protected open space on the following pages,
can never be used for development, or uses that are contrary to a restriction on the property.
The following inventories show the protected open space in Town as well as significant
unprotected parcels. The Town of Sturbridge presently owns very little land itself and efforts by
the Recreation Committee to develop new active recreation facilities has been considerably
complicated by having to find suitable sites. A graphic depiction of the Town’s protected lands
and recreation sites can be found on the following pages (Inventory of Protected Lands and
Recreation Sites Map).
The following table presents a comparison of protected land for Sturbridge and its adjacent
neighbors. The data is derived from the MassGIS protected lands coverage and may not be
completely up-to-date for all of the communities presented. Please note that conservation land
includes well protection areas. It appears that Sturbridge compares very well to its adjacent
neighbors in terms of protected open space, having the highest acreage total of protected land
and the third highest percentage of land protected of the communities compared. It should be
noted that most of the Town’s protected lands are under State and federal protection, with Wells
State Park, the various Wildlife Management Areas and the Westville Lake/East Brimfield Lake
flood control properties being the most prominent examples.
Total Land Area Total Amount of Protected Land as % of Total

Community (acres) Protected Land (acres) Land Area
Sturbridge 24,936 5,737 23.9%
Brimfield 22,583 3,634 16.1%
Brookfield 10,611 3,189 30.0%
Charlton 28,172 2,770 9.8%
East Brookfield 6,652 473 7.1%
Holland 8,373 1,793 21.4%
Southbridge 13,139 1,166 8.9%
Warren 17,682 830 4.7%
a. Protected land inventory
Parcel Owner/Manager Use Funds Used Condition Recreation Public Acres Zoning Protection
Potential Access (SCORP)
Wells State Park State – DEM State park DEM Excellent High Fee 1470 RR Art. 97
Water Dept. Land Town – EOS Facilities & wells Town Good Low Unofficial 14 RR Perpetuity
Breakneck WMA State - DFWELE Open Space/Rec DFWELE Excellent High Free 1,148+- RR Art. 97
Leadmine WMA State - DFWELE Open Space/Rec DFWELE Excellent High Free 341.17 RR Art. 97
McKinstry Brook State - DFWELE Open Space/Rec DFWELE Excellent High Free 142.3+- RR Art. 97
WMA Point Rec.
Streeter DOD - DCR State park Federal Excellent High Fee 30 SR Perpetuity
Area
Leadmine P.A. State - PAB Great pond State Fair Medium Free 2.0 RR Art. 97
Big Alum P.A. State - PAB publicpond
Great access State Good Medium Free 1.0 SR Art. 97
Hamilton Forest Area State – DFWELE publicSpace/Rec
Open access State Excellent High Free 70 RR Art. 97
Tantiusques/Crowd Sites The Trustees of Reservations Open Sp/Historical Private Excellent Medium Free 54.31 RR Perpetuity
Hyland Orchard & Peter Towns/Sep ‘81 Orchard/APR DFA Excellent Low None 81 RR Perpetuity
Brewery
Walker Pond P.A. Town – BOS Great pond Town Good High Free 43 RR Perpetuity
Cedar Pond P.A. Town – BOS public access
Water body Town Fair High Free 23 SR Perpetuity
Westville Lake R.A. DOD – ACE access
Recreation/flood Federal Excellent High Free 578 RR Perpetuity
East Brimfield Lake DOD – ACE control
Recreation/flood Federal Excellent High Free 150 SR/RR Art. 97
R.A.Leadmine Rd
197 Conservation Comm control
Open/HabProt Town Excellent High Free 96 RR Perpetuity
Edward Ballard Conservation Comm OpenSp/Hab/Rec Town Unk Unk 74.06 RR Perpetuity
Wolf Swamp WMA State – DFWELE Open Sp/Rec DFWELE Excellent High Free 128.37 RR Art. 97
Hardy/McKinstry Brk DFWELE CR-Restricted Use DFWELE Excellent Low Free 31 RR Art. 97
WMA
Pecci/Galonek/DFW DFWELE 26-CR+65-Fee DFWELE Excellent Low Free 91 RR Art. 97
Shepard Conservation Comm Open Space/Rec CPA Good Medium Free 8 Comm Art. 97
Long Pond Sturbridge Town Open Space/Rec CPA Good Medium Free 59.47 SR Art. 97
Opacum Woods Opacum L. Trust Open/HabProt Donation Excellent High Free 266 SR Perpetuity
Gaumond Sanc/168 Opacum L. Trust Open/HabProt Donation Good Low None 30 SR Perpetuity
New
1st AcBo
Swamp/50 Opacum L. Trust Open/HabProt Purchase Average Medium Free 26.77 SR Perpetuity
Bushnell
118-136 Mashapaug Conservation Comm Conserv Restr SubControl Average None None 7.25 SR Art. 97
Rd A, Arnold Rd
Parc Conservation Comm Conserv Restr SubControl Average Low None 43.4 SR Art. 97
67 Clarke Rd Conservation Comm Fee Simple SubControl Average Low Unk 13.67 SR Art. 97
4 Shumway Hill Rd Conservation Comm Fee Simple+CR CPA Good Good Free 98 SR Art. 97
Hull Forestlands, LLC Hull & DFW Forestry/CR DFWELE Average Low Unk 617.04 RR Art. 97
37
b. Unprotected land inventory:
The following is a list of significant holdings in Sturbridge in private ownership. These parcels are listed because they may be suitable
for open space, conservation, recreation, or other public purpose, because they are currently subject to local tax abatement for
recreation, agriculture, or forestry (and the Town would receive an option to purchase upon sale for development), or because they are
particularly large or especially critically located. They are not necessarily on the town’s open space acquisition list but all are under
Chapter 61 of Massachusetts General Laws.
Parcel Owner/manager Use Condition Rec Public Zoning Protection Acres Parcel ID
208 Arnold Rd B. Szugda Forestry Ch 61 N/A Potential
Low Access
none RR short term 84.08 123-01042-208
227 Brookfield Rd R. Leclerc Forestry Ch 61 N/A Low none RR short term 15.70 173-01433-227
45 Bushnell Rd R. Hillman Forestry Ch 61 N/A Low none RR short term 57 183-01215-031
281 Cedar St D. Mapplebeck Forestry Ch 61 N/A Low none RR Short term 12.43 202-01016-281
66 Westwood Dr Lillian Palmer, Trustee Ch 61B N/A RR short term 11.48 678-2121-66
220 Holland Rd Palmer, Marc & Joseph For Ch 61 & N/A RR Short term 128 348-3214-220
52 Streeter Rd Kevin Palmer 61B
Forestry Ch 61 N/A Medium unofficial RR short term 30.94 613-02733-052
119 Holland Rd Palmer, Marc & Joseph Forestry Ch 61 N/A RR 22 348-3225-119
24B Holland Rd Palmer, Marc & Joseph Forestry Ch 61 N/A 14 348-3234-24B
281 Holland Rd W. Szyszkiewicz Forestry Ch 61 N/A Low none RR short term 42.57 348-03632-281
256 Walker Rd D. Ouellette Forestry Ch 61 N/A High unofficial RR short term 54.57 662-00721-256
337 New Boston Holly Tremblay Forestry Ch 61 N/A Medium none RR short term 32.92 455-00638-338
121 Paradise Ln Rob Para Forestry Ch 61 N/A High unofficial RR short term 48.03 505-00447-121
205C Podunk Rd I. Jennings Forestry Ch 61 N/A Medium unofficial RR short term 25.85 518-00825-205C
177 Podunk Rd G. Suprenant Forestry Ch 61 N/A Low none RR short term 16.78 520-00842-177
72 Shattuck Rd W. Sujdak Forestry Ch 61 N/A Medium unofficial RR short term 80.16 570-03734-072
37&53 Wells Pk Rd/59 Old Vill Rd Walker Pond Corp Ch 61B N/A Medium none RR short term 53.3 3 parcels
220 Cedar St R. Waraika Forestry Ch 61 N/A Medium none SR Short term 37.6 202-01547-220
261 Holland Rd Davis Ch 61A N/A Medium none RR short term 30.9 348-03652-261
221 Brookfield Rd, Brim John Freeman/Freeman Ch 61A N/A Medium none ? Short term 9.16 173-01433-221
181 & 198 Podunk Rd Farm
R. Moynagh Ch 61A N/A High unofficial RR short term 200 2 Parcels
56 South Rd M. Scheffler Ch 61A N/A High unofficial RR short term 121 595-04622-056
30 Whittemore Rd Mae Dawn Suminski Ch 61A N/A Medium none SR short term 18.23 680-02937-030
14 & 50 Douty Rd Gardiner, Debra q Ch 61A N/A Medium none RR short term 241.53 2 parcels
237 & 241 Holland Rds Dupre, Keren Ch 61A N/A High unofficial RR short term 63.29 2 parcels
38
11,10,16,20,26,30&32 Ladd C. Carrington Ch 61A N/A Potential
Medium noneAccess RR short term 91.31 7 parcels
21 South Rd J. Rouse Ch 61A N/A High none RR short term 121 595-04252-021
38&40 Wallace/151 Shepard E. Cloutier Ch 61A N/A Low unofficial SR short term 24.08 3 parcels
Rd New Boston&24
233 Hamilton Rod & Gun Club Ch 61B N/A High fee RR Short term 144.24 2 parcels
Hamilton
246 CedarRdSt Hamilton Rod & Gun Club Forestry Ch 61 N/A 10.38 202-1527-246
294,298&300 Leadmine Rd Andrews, James III Forestry Ch 61 N/A N/A Short term 17.22 3 Parcels
176 Podunk Rd Buell, Thomas J. Forestry Ch 61 N/A 23.34 520-0841-176
110 McGilpin Rd Cocalis, Clay Forestry Ch 61 N/A 74.66 432-2657-110
21 High St Gingras, Barry Forestry Ch 61 N/A 24.35 335-2411-21
253 Breakneck Rd Grimshaw, Fred H. Jr. Ch 61B 6.5 170-5325-253
44 Allen Rd Holdcraft, John D. Ch 61A 20.24 110-0634-044
227 & 236 Podunk Rd Kaszowski, Robert & Ken Ch 61B N/A 173.76 520-0343-
274 Brookfield Rd Kearns, John S. Ch 61B N/A RR 30 236&237
173-0923-274
33 Putnam Rd Norwood, Marc & Cecil Ch 61B N/A 99.45 530-0312-33
27 Ladd Rd Piergallini, Anthony Ch 61B 20.77 375-1326-027
266 Holland Rd Piette, Tina K. Ch 61B N/A 32.58 348-3612-266
99 Arnold Rd Sosik, Matthew S. Ch 61B N/A 91.55 123-2023-99
61Falls/2Falls/2&124Walker Sturbridge Properties Forestry Ch 61 N/A 92.34 4 parcels
PndRd Leadmine Rd
317&318 Tourtellotte, K. Trustee Ch 61B N/A 40.19 400-3258-
221 Cedar/23&24 Cooper Warrington, Ralph A. Tr Forestry Ch 61 N/A 63.82 3317&318
parcels
Rd
Parcels of Interest:
52StallionHill/51&55Holland MuirfieldDev/Westville Dev Trails/Greenway Potential
Excellent High Access
unofficial RR none 118.91 3 parcels
Rd
234 Walker Rd Tmimmim/fna Krock Core Hab/Trail Excellent High unofficial RR None 54 662-00724-234
7 Allen Road Plimpton Meadows F.T. Core Habitat 270.4 110-00655-007
372 New Boston Rd Unknown Core Hab/Trail Excellent High unofficial RR none 211 455-00245-372
227 & 236 Podunk Rd Kaszowski, Robert & Ken Core Habitat N/A Medium 173.76 520-0343-
233 New Boston&24 Hamilton Rod & Gun Club Core Habitat N/A High RR 144.24 236&237
2 parcels
Hamilton
14 Rd Rd
& 50 Douty Gardiner, Debra Trails/Greenway N/A Medium none RR 241.53 2 parcels
McKinstry Br. Headwaters Various – 33 parcels Open space Excellent High unofficial RR none 544.56 Too many!
181 & 198 Podunk Rd R. Moynagh Core Habitat High unofficial RR 200 2 Parcels
39
800 Main Street Jean Sullivan Scenic/Open sp Excellent Potential
High Access
unofficial SR none 40.92 415-02321-800
704 Main Street Robert Williams Open space Excellent High unofficial SR none 43 415-02323-704
180 Breakneck Rd Pontbriand Open space Excellent High unofficial RR none 223.70 170-05045-180
181 Breakneck Rd Misselwitz Open space Excellent High unofficial RR none 80 170-05056-181
M.T.A. (next to Hobbs Br) Mass Turnpike Authority Rec facilities N/A High unofficial none ca. 12 a. Map 42 lot 1
Southbridge Water Supply T/Southbridge Watershed Town Excellent High None 247.72 Various parcels
Land
520 Route 15 Secure Fin Corp/Bovenzi Hab/Wtr Prot 181.9 552-4461-520
Parcels of Interest, Parcel ID Column Above. Various Parcels:
1. 52 Stallion Hill + 51 & 55 Holland Road Parcels: 605-2459-052; 51 Holland: 348-2717-51; 55 Holland: 348-2716-
055
2. Hamilton Rod & Gun Club - 455-1613-233 (6.24a), 318-1632-024 (138a).
3. Gardiner (2 parcels) – 245-02717-014 (218.53a.), -050 (22a.)
4. Moynagh (2 parcels) – 520-00831-181 (129a.), -192 (71a.)
Recreational Properties:
Turners Field Town - P&R Ball field Good Potential
Medium freeAccess RR limited 4.0*
Cedar Pond Rec Area Town - P&R recreation area Good High free SR limited 23.0*
Tantasqua Regional Schools Union 61 SD rec facilities Good High free RR limited 103.0*
Burgess Elementary School Town rec facilities Good High free SR limited 12.0*
T. Barn Rec Fields Town ball fields Fair Medium free RR limited 14.0*
Old Sturbridge Village OSV living museum Excellent High fee RR none
Sturbridge Host Hotel Sturbridge Host Hotel, Inc. rec facilities Good Medium fee Comm none
Walker Pond Rec. Area Walker Pond Association rec facilities Good Medium unofficial RR none
*Acreages taken from the Sturbridge section of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), EOEA-DCS,
2004.
40
NOTE: Parcels that have no ratings for “Condition”, “Recreational Use”, “Protection”, etc, have not yet received ratings by the Open Space Committee.
41
Unprotected Land Inventory, Parcel ID Column above. Various parcels:
1. Walker Pond Assoc (3 parcels) – 675-1724-053 (13.16a), 1744-137 (30.14a), 493-1715-

058 (10a).
2. Moynagh (2 parcels) – 520-00831-181 (129a.), -192 (71a.)
3. Gardiner (2 parcels) – 245-02717-014 (218.53a.), -050 (22a.)
4. Dupre (2 parcels) – 348-03234-237 (49.05a.), -241 (13.24a.)
5. Carrington (8 Parcels) – 375-01324-011 (24.21a.), -01335-010 (13.89a.), -01345-016
(5.26a.), -020 (8a.), -01354-032 (10.75a.), -01355-026 (6a.), -030 (23.2a.)
6. Cloutier ( 3 parcels) 665-03932-038 (3a.), -03931-040 (15.82a.), 575-03848-151 (5.26a.)
7. Hamilton Rod & Gun Club - 455-1613-233 (6.24a), 318-1632-024 (138a).
8. Andrews (3 parcels) – 400-3238-294 (5.61a), 3238-298 (2.1a) & 3238-300 (9.4a)
9. Sturbridge Properties – 268-1255-061 (2.3a), 268-1736-002 (26.85a), 660-1746-0002
(55.36a), 660-1751-124 (7.83a).
10. Warrington – 202-1547-220 (2.38a), 226-2015-023 (10.65a), 226-2015-024 (50.79a)
42
Insert Protected Lands Map Here (6)
43
c. Recreation facilities
Natural resources in Sturbridge offer some valuable passive recreation. Lakes and ponds are
widely used and available for the public use. Big Alum Lake and East Brimfield Lake (Long
Pond) both offer public boat ramp access. East Brimfield Lake allows for East Brimfield and
Sturbridge residents boat ramp and beach access to the lake. Natural quiet settings along streams
and ponds and within state parks provide idyllic camping experiences. There are several
campgrounds in Sturbridge that draw campers in from areas of the region and beyond. East of
Interstate 84 in the southern section of Town there are two campgrounds and to the north there is
one within the Wells State Park. Hemlock Ridge Golf Course, an open-to-the-public, nine-hole
course, offers active recreation as well.
Largest recreational sites and activities:
Wells State Park - Owned and managed by the Department of Conservation & Recreation, the
Park offers the following activities: boating (non-motorized), camping, cross country skiing,
fresh water fishing, fresh water swimming, general play, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, motor
boating, nature observing, organized events, picnicking, snowmobiling and walking/ jogging.
Westville Dam – Owned and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, this facility offers
baseball/softball, bicycling, boating-non motor, cross country skiing, football/soccer, fresh water
fishing, general play, hiking, nature observing, organized event, picnicking, sightseeing and
walking/jogging [Note: active recreation fields are leased to the Town of Southbridge for their
municipal recreation and league activities, use during spring limited due to flooding].
Cedar Lake Recreation Area – Owned and operated by the Town, this site offers tennis courts, a
basketball court, a skateboard park, a waterfront swimming area, picnic tables and a playground.
44
Outdoor World - Privately owned and operated, this facility offers bicycling, boating (both
motorized and non- motorized), camping, fresh water fishing, freshwater swimming, hiking, and
picnicking.
Yogi Bear Campground - Privately owned and operated, this facility offers overnight camping,
boating, swimming, picnicking and a clubhouse.
Old Sturbridge Village, Inc. – Privately owned and operated, this historic New England village
setting offers organized events, opportunities to observe nature, natural history, and sightseeing.
Hamilton Rod & Gun - Privately owned and operated, this facility offers boating (motorized and
non-motorized), fresh water fishing, general play, hunting, nature observing, picnicking and
target archery.
Hemlock Golf Course - This is a privately owned and operated golf course.
Tantasqua Regional School - Part of the regional school district, Tantasqua offers baseball/
softball, basketball, football/soccer, general play, hiking, ice-skating, picnicking and tennis. The
school building is new and many of its recreation facilities have been substantially renovated.
Both the school and the town utilize the facilities at this site.
Burgess Elementary School - Town-owned and operated, the school offers baseball, softball,
soccer, a playground and a Miracle Maze (play structure).
Turner's Field – Town-owned and operated, this site contains facilities for baseball and soccer.
Highway Barn Fields – Town-owned and operated, this site contains facilities for softball, soccer
and a little league field.
45
Insert
Trail Network
Map Here (7)
46
Section 6: Community goals
A. Surveys
The Town of Sturbridge initiated a citizen survey in late 2004 as part of a municipal strategic
planning exercise. The survey used a targeted random sample approach, sending a survey to
every 35th household on the Town’s street address. A grand total of 246 surveys were sent out, of
which 197 were returned (an impressive response rate of 80%). In terms of open space and
recreation, the survey contained the following results:
• Residents indicated opposition to increasing lake patrols (including those residents living
on the lakes), as well as opposition to adding a new municipal employee to maintain
Town recreation fields.
• Residents indicated support for developing a sports complex.
• Most residents indicated their vision for Sturbridge in the future was that of a family-
oriented, rural community.
• Most residents indicated the three greatest threats to the future of Sturbridge was the
potential for a casino development, high taxes, and not enough jobs/too much
development (tied for second).
• Residents felt the Town needed to plan for the inevitable growth as development pushes
west from the Boston-metro area and that commercial and industrial growth should occur
near major activity areas. Most residents (81% of respondents) did not believe their
neighborhood could accommodate more growth.
• Residents indicated growth should be limited to where there is adequate infrastructure
and that the Town should develop more flexible zoning to guide the density of
development.
• Most residents (72% of respondents) believe the environmental resources of the Town are
being adequately protected and 93% indicated that it was important for new development
to be designed and sited to protect significant water, plant and animal habitats.
• Most residents (79% of respondents) want the Town to actively pursue the town-wide
trail system that is underway.
• Most residents (95% of respondents) want the Town to protect the historic assets of the
community, but at present oppose the cost of renovating the Town Hall/Center School.
• Most residents (85% of respondents) think the Town should be working to acquire open
space.
• Most residents (88% of respondents) believe the Town should provide flexible design to
encourage open space preservation in new subdivisions; ensure business developments
are attractively designed and landscaped (92%); create a lakefront zoning district (74%);
and promote housing affordability (72%).
• Most residents (61% of respondents) felt that Sturbridge was on the right track and
meeting their expectations in the areas of residential, commercial and industrial
development, and the protection of open space. Most residents (83%) opposed the
development of a casino in Sturbridge.
47
• Most residents indicated an interest in seeing that recreation programs were funded
through user fess (51% of respondents), or a combination of user fees and property taxes
(40% of respondents).
• Most residents (98% of respondents) indicated that Sturbridge was either a good or great
place to live.
The Town’s Open Space Committee used the results of the survey in its deliberations for the
content of this Plan, particularly for the goals and objectives (see Section 8) and the five-year
plan of action (see Section 9). The Committee also utilized the results of the October public
forum on open space for this purpose. Taken together, the survey and public forum were
instrumental in formulating the policies contained in this document.
B. Goals and Objectives
As a result of the findings of the survey, the Open Space Committee has identified these as
community goals:
• Preservation of significant parcels of presently undeveloped land; implement completion

of town’s trail system; strengthen proactive regulation protecting street trees. This meets
citizens desires to experience wooded hills, beautiful lakes, ponds, streams and rivers,
and a rich sense of history.
• Although the Town has been very fortunate that the state and federal government have
created most of the passive and active recreation areas in Town, citizens believe the Town
should take stronger measures to protect open land and provide recreation (particularly
passive recreation) facilities.
• Maintain town character, for example, by conservation of watershed and riverfront
parcels along the Quinebaug River; and preservation of historic assets of the town
including the Town Common.
• Limit detrimental effects to the natural environment that results from too much
development.
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Section 7: Analysis of needs
A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs
1. Groundwater Protection
The Town of Sturbridge adopted a Groundwater Protection District at its 2002 spring Town
Meeting. The district covers the Town’s groundwater resources as determined by the US
Geological Survey, as well as the Zone II contribution areas for the Town’s drinking water wells.
The regulations of the district include a limit on the amount of impervious surfaces, a limitation
on the types of allowable land uses and standards for the use and storage of hazardous materials.
2. Wetlands
The Town has adopted a Wetland Protection Bylaw and the Conservation Commission is charged
with its administration. The Bylaw requires a 25-foot no disturbance zone around wetlands and
streams, and an additional 25-foot no construction zone. Additional buffers are required for
significantly sloping land in close proximity to wetlands. Exceptions are allowed on a case-by-
case basis but only if mitigation measures are employed.
3. Flexible development and residential density
The Town's Multiple Dwelling Projects Bylaw (Chapter Seven) of the Zoning Bylaws should be
evaluated on an ongoing basis to determine whether it achieves the goal of encouraging a
creative approach to the development of residential land and the preservation of open space.
As in many growing, desirable communities in Massachusetts, the biggest threat to open space is
development. Residential development, which in most of Sturbridge relies on on-site septic
systems, should be concentrated in areas that are best suited for such development. The large
amount of land in Town characterized by ledges and steep changes in grade have proved difficult
to subdivide appropriately. Residential development is a major threat to farm and forestlands as
well. The Town's Master Plans have recommended "up-zoning" the Rural Residential zoning
district to two acres to better accommodate residential development at more environmentally-
sensitive densities; however, this change has not occurred and the district still has a minimum lot
size of one acre.
4. Habitats
Several endangered and/or threatened species have been identified in Sturbridge and the large
tracts of State land, most especially the wildlife management areas, create corridors for the
movement of wildlife. These corridors are interrupted by natural barriers (such as the Quinebaug
River in parts) as well as built barriers (the Mass Pike being an example), but do exist to some
degree. These corridors need to be documented for different species and appropriate corridor
preservation strategies developed.
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5. Streetscapes
The character of the community of Sturbridge is important to its residents. It may perhaps be
even more important to its business community, particularly those catering to tourists, which
relies on the historic and scenic qualities of the Town. A principal component of the Town’s
character, especially to tourists, is the experience from the road or the Town’s streetscapes.
The Town’s Public Shade Tree bylaw proposed by the Tree Warden and adopted by Town
Meeting in April 1997 and amended in April 1998 recognizes the esthetic, environmental, and
economic value of street trees. It can be used to prevent the removal of healthy street trees and
provides for penalties for unauthorized removal of trees. The Town’s commitment to being a
TREE CITY USA and its investment in preserving street and significant trees should be
reinforced by additional plantings. Whether grant funds will continue to provide a supply of trees
suitable for street tree planting purposes or other means (such as donations of money or
memorial gifts, partnerships with garden clubs and other community organizations, or creation of
a small town nursery to produce street trees cost-effectively) need to be identified, the program
should continue.
The Town also adopted a Scenic Road Bylaw at the spring 2004 Town Meeting in accordance
with MGL Chapter 40, Section 15C. Currently, portions of thirty-one local roads have been
designated as Scenic Roads through Town Meeting action. A comprehensive listing of these
roads can be found on file with the Town Clerk.
B. Summary of Community’s Needs
The use of standards to determine whether or not a community has adequate open space and
recreation is difficult due to changing trends in recreation, demographic and socio-economic
characteristics of the community, especially in growing communities. The National Recreation
and Parks Association and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration have
prepared a set of guidelines for the local provision of open space and recreation facilities. These
guidelines, established in 1996, suggest using a Level-of-Service (or LOS) guideline for planning
active recreation facilities.
The LOS is a ratio expressed as acres-per-1,000 population, which represents the minimum
amount of ground space needed to meet real time recreation demands of the local citizens. The
LOS planning concept for active recreation facilities includes both the land needed for the actual
facilities, but also ancillary land for parking, restrooms, walkways, etc. The LOS concept is used
for mini-parks (typically associated with a single development), neighborhood parks, community
parks and athletic complexes, but not for nature preserves, historic district parks or greenways.
There is no one LOS standard that is applicable to every community; rather, each community
should calculate its own LOS using the following formula:
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• Determine the park classifications for which the LOS will apply.
• Determine the recreation activity menu for each park classification. The menu will be a
list of all the recreation facilities intended to go into each park classification and for which
a specific amount of space will be needed. The menu determines the facilities space
requirements for the LOS formula.
• Determine the open space size standards for each park classification for which the LOS
standards will apply.
• Determine the present supply of these recreation activity choices.
• Determine the expressed demand for these recreation activity choices (usually done
through surveys of the populace).
• Determine the minimum population service requirements for these recreation activity
choices.
• Determine the individual LOS for each park classification.
• Determine the collective LOS for the entire park and recreation system.
Performing a LOS analysis for the Town’s active recreation facilities is beyond the scope of this
project; however, it is recommended that the Sturbridge Recreation Committee work in
conjunction with the Public Works Department to conduct a LOS analysis over the next five
years. Such an effort will help the Town determine its own specific recreation standards and
whether or not the currently amount of facilities meet said standards.
In terms of open space, such land cannot and should not be equated with a numerical standard of
any kind; such an approach would be both impractical and counterproductive. There is no number
of acres of floodplain or wetlands that every community should have in order to meet a national
standard. Rather, a community should, through a strategic planning process, develop open space
policies that reflect the unique resources of the community.
SCORP 2000/Needs Assessment:
In the year 2000, the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation & Recreation
(DCR), created the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). As part of the SCORP
2000, DCR conducted a statewide recreation user survey and the results were further broken down by
region. For Central Massachusetts, a series of estimates of needs based on the findings of a 1995
demand study was utilized. The study concluded the following:
• Trail-Based Activities: The survey identified places for walking to be the most needed
trail-based recreation resource, followed by places for biking (both mountain and road).
• Water-Based Activities: The survey identified places for swimming to be the most needed
water-based recreation resource, followed by boating (both motorized and non-
motorized) and canoeing.
• Wilderness Activities: The survey identified places for hiking to be the most needed
wilderness resource.
• Field-Based Activities: The survey identified playgrounds to be the most needed field-
based recreation resource, followed by golfing.
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• Passive Recreational Activities: The survey identified picnicking facilities to be the most
needed passive recreation resource, followed by wildlife and nature study areas.
Since the 1995 study, Sturbridge has made great headway in meeting the Central Massachusetts
Needs Assessment: several ponds in Sturbridge have public boat ramps, including Long Pond,
Walker Pond, Cedar Pond and Big Alum. Long & Cedar Ponds provide beaches for swimming.
In addition, the new Tantasqua Regional High School has a new pool which is available to
Sturbridge residents.
Purchases of open space since 1995 has rapidly expanded with passage of the Community
Preservation Act. Over 1,500 acres of natural lands have been added to Sturbridge’s inventory of
open space, some which is privately held by land trusts. These lands provide access for hiking
and non-motorized biking for residents and visitors to this area.
Expansion of playing fields is currently under consideration by town officials, as they seek to
expand the existing elementary school and its playgrounds. Also, the search is on for suitable
land to build a regulation-sized ballfield.
Regarding the recreational needs of special populations including handicapped individuals,

Sturbridge has recreational facilities that are ADA compliant as noted on the attached checklist.
The statewide SCORP 2000 Needs Assessment for Central Massachusetts appears to indicate the
needs expressed by people with disabilities is similar to that of the Statewide average. When
asked how a domestic disability affects their household’s recreation activities, residents
responded in two ways: many responses emphasized that the disability had little or no effect on
the recreation; some responses suggest that, for disabilities affecting mobility, usage of recreation
areas is lower.
In terms of recreation activities for residents over 55, there are currently two over-55 housing
complexes that are going through the approval processes in Sturbridge. Both include open space
portions with trails as part of the development plans, as well as other over-55 related recreational
opportunities within the development complex, ie; clubhouses, gazebos, etc.
C. Management Needs, Potential Change of Use
1. Continue the Work of the Town’s Open Space Committee
The Town should continue to support the endeavors of the Open Space Committee, which serves
to advise, advocate and coordinate open space issues in Sturbridge. The Committee’s first role is
to advocate for open space and build consensus around land conservation issues. As an ongoing,
standing group, the Committee is able to react in a timely fashion when necessary and provides a
consistent, vigilant view of land conservation activities. It is the Open Space Committee who is
responsible for the timely updating of this document. Having a State-approved Open Space &
Recreation Plan maintains the Town’s eligibility for State grants regarding recreation and open
space acquisition.
The committee’s various charges include:
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• Maintain the Open Space and Recreation Plan.
• Report annually to the Town Meeting and Selectmen assessing progress on action plan.
• Evaluate all properties being considered for open space acquisition, including
61/61A/61B options offered to the Town (i.e., right of first refusal).
• Implement some of the action plan items, as appropriate.
• Serve as the Town’s advocate for open space and open space issues.
• Liaison with State, regional, and federal agencies and non-profits on open space
preservation and connection, maintain communications with open space advocates in
abutting communities.
• Work with Betterment Committee when appropriate to acquire land and develop
recreational facilities.
2. Prioritization for open space acquisition
Communities acquiring land for open space, recreation, and conservation purposes frequently
attempt to devise a method to compare or prioritize land for acquisition. These systems often list
locations of threatened or endangered plant or animal species as among the highest priority land
to buy or protect. Also usually highly ranked is water supply protection land. Agricultural land,
particularly productive land, ranks high as does keeping open land unbuilt in more densely
settled areas without open space at present. Land that connects existing open space areas or
create buffers between sensitive natural resources may rank high as well.
It is proposed that land for acquisition should either protect present or future water supplies,
sensitive natural resource areas, provide public access to natural resources, connect existing open
space land, or provide recreational facilities or amenities, particularly in settled areas. Land that
achieves more than one of these objectives would be highly ranked. The Open Space Committee
should evaluate these suggestions, utilizing its acquisition sheet and should continue to refine its
system of prioritizing land for acquisition or acceptance by the Town.
3. Land Acquisition and Long-range Capital Plan
The Recreation Committee has worked many hours to develop a plan for the rehabilitation of
various town recreation facilities. Their plans, though, have been perceived as a project-by-
project effort and not generally seen as a part of a long-range plan for the Town's recreation
facilities. A plan for the comprehensive development, rehabilitation and maintenance of the
Town's recreation facilities, which prioritizes efforts, anticipates present and future needs, and
provides for the periodic maintenance, routine as well as more extensive, for all facilities should
be developed to provide adequate recreation facilities. This plan then needs to be incorporated
within the Town's capital planning and Betterment process. As previously discussed, the lack of
Town owned land has limited the Commission's ability to plan for additional facilities. There are
three possible methods to increase the supply of land for recreation uses:
A. Entering into agreements with the owners of open space (i.e. the various state
agencies and others) to determine whether active recreation is appropriate and
permitted in other locations in Town.
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B. Working with the Planning Board to encourage the creation of open land
especially for active recreation as a part of new development (either through
negotiations with applicants or by reserving land upon approval of a subdivision
[M.G.L. Ch. 41 s. 81U final paragraph: "Before approval of a plan by a planning
board, said board shall also in proper cases require the plan to show a park or
parks suitably located for playground or recreation purposes or for providing light
and air and not unreasonable in area in relation to the area of the land being
subdivided and the prospective uses of such land, and if so determined said board
shall by appropriate endorsement on the plan require that no building may be
erected on such park or parks for a period of not more than three years without its
approval"].
C. Acquisition of targeted parcels and/or exercising the Town’s right of first refusal
on lands about to be withdrawn from the State’s Chapter 61 taxation program.
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Section 8: Goals and Objectives
1. Community Character
a. Identify those natural, built, and historic elements, which contribute to the character
of the Town; develop preservation strategies.
b. Identify methods to preserve and promote streetscapes.
c. Review Town bylaws and regulations and incorporate requirements for high
standards of design and landscaping. Mitigate the impact of development,
particularly large-scale development, through zoning controls, landscaping
requirements, and other developmental regulations.
d. Preserve agriculture and forestry land, which as working landscapes are important
components of Sturbridge’s character.
2. Land Acquisition
a. Initiate efforts to identify and acquire important parcels for conservation and resource
protection purposes. These can include habitat for threatened or endangered plant or
animal species, water supply protection land, agricultural land, and land that connects
existing open space areas or creates buffers between sensitive natural resources.
Thought should be given to corridors for creature migration in all acquisition efforts.
b. Acquire land for conservation, recreation, habitat preservation, and natural resource
protection.
c. Cultivate local, state and federal fiscal resources for open space funding.
d. Acquire and protect areas critical for water supplies.
e. Identify all municipal-owned parcels and make recommendation for Conservation

Commission ownership under Article 97 protection.
3. Provide and Promote Recreational Opportunities for all Residents
a. Provide inclusive passive and active recreational opportunities, resources, and

facilities for all citizens.
b. Improve access to the riverfront and to ponds.
c. Ensure sufficient supply of playing fields for team sports.
d. Incorporate recreational needs and facilities in the Town’s capital budgeting

process.
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4. Trails
a. Complete process of planning and preserving trail and greenbelt corridors.
b. Incorporate trails, greenbelt and buffer requirements in local bylaws and regulations.
c. Develop trails for jogging, biking or walking, working towards a network connecting
various greenway corridors.
5. Outreach
a. Increase public awareness and support of open space.

.
b. Continue dialogue and partnerships with the state, federal, conservation groups
and non-profit owners of land in Sturbridge.
Although these goals seem distinctive and somewhat separate, it is the integrated approach to
implementation that enables a comprehensive approach to resource protection, community and
habitat preservation, sufficient active and passive recreation opportunities for residents and
visitors, and preservation of the town’s quality. All these goals are ingredients that contribute to
the overall quality of life for people as well as animals.
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Section 9: Five-Year Action Plan
Of the activities listed below, some are underway at present. It is presumed that these items will
be completed the first fiscal year. Items can be moved from one year to another depending on
issues facing the Town.
FY06
 Board of Selectmen and other boards and commissions adopt Updated Plan.
 Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee and Planning Board work
with Trails Committee to develop trail system.
 Planning Board works on flexible development and considers impacts of up-
zoning in protecting open space.
 Planning Board implements Scenic Roads Bylaw.
 Update inventory of unprotected lands and open parcels.
 Open Space Committee dispenses information to residents about the tax
advantages in donating land, easements, or restrictions to the Town or non-
profit.
 Open Space Committee proposes ongoing dialogue with Community
Preservation Act Committee concerning existing Chapter 61/61A/61B
properties prior to their withdrawal from program, for future acquisition.
 Open Space Committee collaborates with state agencies and local land trusts.
 Town Meeting appropriates funds for Town Conservation Revolving Fund.
 Create grant-writing committee; search for volunteers to write grants.
 Establish a committee to develop use plans for acquired open space parcels
 Open Space Committee will review the Smart Growth Commonwealth Capital
guidelines to make recommendations to the various committees and boards of
the Town.
FY07
 Evaluate needs for playing fields and consider possible sites.
 Recreation Committee refines needs and begins to develop a long-range
capital plan.
 Planning Board study fiscal impacts of growth.
 Planning Board continues with efforts to incorporate trails and increased
landscaping and buffering requirements in regulations.
 Continue with street trees programs; increase number of street trees planted or
replaced.
 Implement grant-writing program for land acquisition.
 Implement planning for use of open space parcels.
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profit.
 Propose an Action Plan completed by ConComm for documentation of
habitat, species and migration corridors.
the Town.
FY08
 Open Space Committee reports to Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting on
progress implementing plan and other open space issues.
 Planning Board continues to develop Groundwater Protection Bylaws, either
as a zoning or general bylaw of the Town.
 Planning Board and Conservation Commission continue work on
incorporating wetlands protections in Town's zoning.
 Planning Board does update to build-out analysis to determine needs for
reducing density of development and preserving open land.
 Open Space Committee refines identification of protective corridors or
greenbelts through Town.
 Continue with street trees programs.
 Open Space Committee and Town Administrator continue dialogue with non-
profits, state agencies, and federal departments.
 Planning Board continues to analyze Census 2000 data if available and report
to town boards on demographic trends and changes.
profit.
 Continue with grant-writing program to include not only land acquisition, but
also recreation and stewardship grants.
58
the Town.
59
FY09
 Open Space Committee report to Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting on
 Recreation Committee reviews recreation needs in light of demographic
trends and changes, and utilizes the LOS analysis method to determine the
Town’s true demand and need for active recreation facilities.
profit.
 Open Space Committee studies programs for preservation of agricultural and
forest lands.
 Review the development of trail systems and proposals.
 Continue with street trees programs.
profit.
the Town.
FY10
 Open Space Committee reports to Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting on
 Open Space Committee begins open space plan update process.
 Recreation Committee continues with capital plan and implementation of
long-range active recreation development program.
 The Open Space Committee and Recreation Committee continue to develop a
strategy/policy to provide additional active and passive recreation
opportunities for all residents.
 Review success and continue development of trail system and proposals.
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profit.
the Town.
FY11
 Open Space Committee reports to Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting on
 Open Space Committee submits updated plan to Town and state for adoption
and approval.
 Open Space Committee, Recreation Committee and Council on Aging
continue to develop standards and goals for additional active and passive
recreation opportunities for all residents.
 Planning Board reviews subdivision rules and regulations and other Town
bylaws for preservation of stonewalls, natural features, and other elements of
"rural" or "scenic" landscapes.
 Continue street tree efforts.
 Review success and continue development of trail system and proposals.
 Town Meeting appropriate funds for Town Conservation Revolving Fund.
the Town.
Although these goals seem distinctive and somewhat separate, it is the integrated approach to
implementation that enables a comprehensive approach to resource protection, community and
habitat preservation, sufficient active and passive recreation opportunities for residents and
visitors, and preservation of the town’s quality. All these goals are ingredients that contribute to
the overall quality of life for people as well as animals. A graphic depiction of the Town’s five-
year action plan can be found on the following page as Map 8 (Action Plan Map).
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Insert Action Plan Map Here (8)
62
Action items sorted by goal:
Goal Activity By whom? When?

1. Community character
a. Continue to identify those Continue working with Quinebaug BOS ongoing
natural, built, and historic and Shetucket Rivers Valley National
elements that contribute to the Heritage Corridor.
Town’s character.
Update buildout analysis to Planning FY2008
determine needs for reducing density Board
and preserving open land.
a-2. Continue to develop Continue dialogue with CPAC Open Space ongoing
preservation strategies. concerning existing Ch.61/61A/ Committee
61B properties prior to their
withdrawal for possible future
acquisition.
Develop flexible (or cluster) Planning ongoing
development bylaw and consider Board
impacts of up-zoning in protecting
open space.
b. Continue to identify methods to Continue with street trees programs; Tree Warden ongoing
preserve and improve increase number of street trees
streetscapes. planted or replaced.
Implement Scenic Road bylaw. Planning Bd ongoing
c. Review Town bylaws and Review subdivision rules and Planning Bd ongoing
regulations to mitigate the regulations and other town bylaws CPAC
impact of development through for preservation of stone walls, Open Space
zoning controls, landscaping natural features, and other elements
requirements, and other of "rural" or "scenic" landscapes.
regulations.
d. Preserve agriculture and Study agricultural and forest land Open Space FY2009
forestry land. preservation; develop local strategy
for disseminating information.
Continue dialogue with CPAC Open Space ongoing
concerning existing Ch.61/61A/ Committee
61B properties prior to their
withdrawal for possible future
acquisition.
Establish a committee to develop use BoS FY2006
plans for acquired open space
parcels.
Organize with state agencies & land
trusts to partner in acquisitions.
Establish a grant-writing program. BoS FY2006
Search for volunteers write grants.
e. Advocate Smart Growth Review Smart Growth Open Space ongoing
measures Commonwealth Capital guidelines to Committee
make recommendations to the
various committees and boards of the
town.
63
64
2. Land Acquisition
a. Continue efforts to identify Continue prioritizing land for the Open ongoing
and acquire important acquisition of open space and Space
parcels. conservation land. Committee
Continue updating inventory of Open ongoing
unprotected land and developing Space
database of major open parcels.
b. Acquire land. Create Town Conservation Town FY2007
Revolving fund. Meeting
c. Implement grant-writing Organize with state agencies & land BoS FY2007
program. trusts to partner in acquisitions. CPAC
OSC
Contribute to Town Conservation Town ongoing
Revolving fund. Meeting;
Finance
Committee
Begin OSRP plan update to Open FY2010
maintain Town’s eligibility for Space
DCS Self-Help funds. Committee
d. Identify local fiscal resources. Study fiscal impacts of growth. PB FY2007
Continue collaborating with local Open ongoing
land trusts. Space
e. Acquire or protect other Continue incorporating wetlands Planning ongoing
critically important natural protections in zoning. Bd
resource areas. ConComm
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3. Recreation for All
a. Provide opportunities for Consider recreational Open ongoing
passive and active recreation opportunities when acquiring Space
for all. land. Rec Comm
b. Implement plans for use of Create trails for all types of OSC ongoing
open space parcels passive recreation Use Comm
Disseminate information to Open ongoing
residents about the tax advantages Space
of donating land, easements, or
restrictions to the town or non-
profit.
c. Incorporate recreation needs Refine needs and begin long- Rec Comm FY2008
and facilities in the capital range capital planning through
budget. use of LOS analysis method..
Continue with capital plan and Rec Comm FY2011
implementation of long-range
active recreation development
program.
d. Consider the needs of all Continue developing a Open ongoing
residents. strategy/policy to provide Space
additional active and passive Rec Comm
recreation opportunities for all
residents.
e. Provide recreational Continue to analyze Census 2000 Planning FY2008
facilities for all age groups. data and report to town boards on Bd
demographic trends and changes.
Review recreation needs in light Rec Comm ongoing
of demographic trends and
changes.
f. Improve access to the Work with regional Trail Comm. Rec Comm ongoing
riverfront and to ponds.
Work with State Public Access Open ongoing
Board to ensure public use of Space
great ponds. Rec Comm
g. Ensure sufficient playing Evaluate need for playing fields Rec Comm FY2007
fields. and consider possible sites.
66
4. Trails
a. Plan trails and greenbelt Work with regional Trails Comm Open ongoing
corridors. and Rec Comm. Space,
ConCom,
Rec Comm,
Planning
Bd
Continue refining identification of Open ongoing
protective corridors and Space
greenbelts.
b. Incorporate trails, greenbelt, Incorporate trails, greenbelt, and Planning ongoing
and buffer requirements in buffer requirements in local Bd
local bylaws and regulations. bylaws and regulations.
c. Develop trails for jogging, Work with regional Trails Comm. Rec Comm ongoing
biking and walking.
d. Funding Options Obtain grants for recreational uses Grants ongoing
and stewardship Committee

5. Outreach
a. Increase public awareness Adopt updated Open Space plan. BOS/CC/P FY2006
and support. B/Rec
Comm
Report to Town Meeting and Open ongoing
Board of Selectmen on progress Space
implementing plan and other open Committee
space issues.
b. Provide opportunities for Rec Comm ongoing
passive and active recreation Open
for all. Space
c. Continue dialogue and Open ongoing
partnerships with the state, Space,
federal, and non-profit open Town Adm
space entities.
67
Work items sorted by responsible Board or department:
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
BOS FY2006 Adopt updated Open Space plan
BOS FY2006 Create grant-writing committee for land acquisition
BOS FY2006 Create RecreationPlanning Committee for acquired
parcels
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
ConComm FY2006 Adopt updated Open Space plan
ConComm ongoing Incorporate wetlands protections in zoning.
(w/ Planning Bd)
ConComm (w/ Rec ongoing Work with regional Trails Committee.
Comm and Planning
Bd)
ConsComm FY2007 Propose an Action Plan for documentation of habitat,
species and migration corridors.
Council on Aging (w/ ongoing Provide opportunities for passive and active recreation
Open Space & Rec for all.
Comm)
OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

Open Space Committee ongoing Work with State Public Access Board to ensure public
use of great ponds.
Open Space ongoing Report to Town Meeting and Board of Selectmen on
Committee progress implementing plan and other open space
issues.
Open Space ongoing Continue refining identification of protective corridors
Committee and greenbelts.
Open Space Committee ongoing Continue dialogue with CPAC concerning existing
Ch.61/61A/61B properties prior to their withdrawal
for possible future acquisition.
Open Space Committee ongoing Continue dialogue with non-profits, state and federal
and Town agencies, and establish periodic communications.
Administrator
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Open Space ongoing Review Smart Growth Commonwealth Capital
guidelines to make recommendations to the various
committees and boards of the town.
Open Space ongoing Study agricultural and forest land preservation;
develop local strategy for disseminating information
Open Space ongoing Disseminate information to residents about the tax
advantages of donating land, easements, or restrictions
to the town or non-profit.
Open Space FY2010 Update inventory of unprotected land and database of
major open parcels.
Open Space ongoing Continue developing a strategy/policy to provide
(Rec Comm) additional active and passive recreation opportunities
for all residents.
Open Space Committee FY2010 Begin OSRP plan update to maintain Town’s
eligibility for DCS Self-Help funds.
Open Space ongoing Continue collaborating with local land trusts.
Open Space (w/ Rec ongoing Continue developing standards and goals for
Comm & Council on additional active and passive recreation opportunities
Aging) for all residents.
RECREATION COMMITTEE
Rec Comm FY2006 Adopt updated Open Space plan.
Rec Comm FY2008 1. Refine needs through use of LOS analysis method
and begin long-range capital planning.
Rec Comm FY2007 2. Evaluates need for playing fields and consider
possible sites.
Rec Comm ongoing Review recreation needs in light of demographic
trends and changes.
Rec Comm ongoing Continue developing a strategy/policy to provide
(w/ Open Space) additional active and passive recreation opportunities
for all residents.
Rec Comm FY2011 Continue with capital plan and implementation of
long-range active recreation development program.
Rec Comm (w/ Open ongoing Develop standards and goals for additional active and
Space and Council on passive recreation opportunities for all residents .
Aging)
PLANNING BOARD
Planning Bd FY2006 Adopt updated Open Space plan.
Planning Bd ongoing 1. Incorporate trails, greenbelt, and buffer
requirements in local bylaws and regulations.
Planning Bd FY2007 2. Study fiscal impacts of growth.
Planning Bd ongoing 1. Incorporate wetlands protections in zoning.
(w/ ConComm)
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Planning Bd FY2008 2. Update buildout analysis to determine needs for
reducing density and preserving open land.
Planning Bd (w/ Con ongoing 3. Work with regional Trails Committee.
Comm and Rec Comm)
Planning Bd ongoing 1. Develop flexible (or cluster) development bylaw
and consider impacts of up-zoning in protecting open
space.
Planning Bd ongoing 2. Continue to analyze Census 2000 data and report to
town boards on demographic trends and changes.
Planning Bd ongoing Implement Scenic Road bylaw.

Planning Bd ongoing Review subdivision rules and regulations and other
town bylaws for preservation of stone walls, natural
features, and other elements of "rural" or "scenic"
landscapes.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Town Administrator (w/ ongoing Continue dialogue with non-profits, state and federal
Open Space agencies, and establish periodic communications.
Committee)
TOWN MEETING/FINANCE COMMITTEE

Town Meeting FY2007 Create Town Conservation Revolving fund.
Town Meeting; ongoing Contribute to Conservation Revolving fund.
Finance Committee
OPEN SPACE USE COMMITTEE

Open Space Use Comm FY2006 Plan recreational uses of
acquired parcels
Open Space Use Comm Ongoing Review success and continue
with planning
GRANT-WRITING COMMITTEE
Grant-writing Comm FY2006 Obtain grants for land
acquisition
Grant-writing Comm Ongoing Obtain grants for land
acquisition, recreational uses
and stewardship
TREE WARDEN
Tree Warden ongoing Continue with street trees programs; increase number
of street trees planted or replaced.
70
Section 10: References
Burns, Brian. Sturbridge, a pictorial history. 1988.
Duerksen, Christopher J. et al. Habitat Protection Planning: Where the Wild Things Are. APA
Planning Advisory Service Report #470/471, Chicago, IL, 1997.
Charles J. Fausold and Robert J. Lilieholm, The Economic Value of Open Space: A Review and
Synthesis, a Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Research Paper [Cambridge, MA], 1996.
E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Basic Studies, Sturbridge, MA 1964.
E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Comprehensive Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1965.
E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Master Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1988.
E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Master Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1971.
National Recreation and Parks Association and the American Academy for Park and Recreation
Administration. Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines, 1996.
Small, Stephen J. Esq. Preserving Family Lands: A Landowner’s Introduction to Tax Issues and
other Considerations.
Town of Sturbridge, annual Town Reports.
The Trust for Public Lands. Community Choices: Thinking through Land Conservation,
Development, and Property Taxes in Massachusetts. 1998.
The Open Space Planner’s Workbook. EOEA Division of Conservation Services. 2001.
Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. EOEA Division of

Conservation Services. 2004.
State of Massachusetts Departmental Websites: EOEA, DCR, DEM, DEP, DFWLE and DFA.
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil Survey of Worcester County,
Massachusetts – Southern Part, 1992.
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and the Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP), A TMDL Alternative Regulatory Pathway Proposal for the Management of
Selected Mercury-Impaired Waters, 2004.
Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) and the Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP), Massachusetts Section 303(d) Lists of Waters, 2004.
71
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Buildout Analysis for Sturbridge, 2001.
Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Intercommunity Trail Connection

Feasibility Study – CMRPC Southwest Subregion, 2001.
Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, EOEA Division of

Conservation Services. 2004.
72
Section 11: Comments
73
Appendices
A Funding Mechanisms and Programs
B Land Protection Options (from the Open Space Planner’s Workbook)
C Section 504 Self-Evaluation - accessibility surveys

Section 1: Plan Summary

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Section 1: Plan Summary

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Section 1: Plan Summary

1. Preserve community character

B. Planning Process and Public Participation

Sturbridge is a suburban-rural community located at the junction of Interstate 84, Interstate 90

Sturbridge is surrounded by the Towns of Brimfield, Charlton, East Brookfield, Holland,

Table 1 – Sturbridge Population Growth

Per Capita Income

Year Structure Built Dwelling units authorized by building permits

LAND USE CLASSIFICATION

LAND USE 1971 1971 1985 1985 1999 1999 % Increase

Maximum Build-Out and Ecological Impacts:

In 1999, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) began a

In Sturbridge’s case, the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC)

Remaining Acres of Vacant, Developable Land: 13,742

Source: CMRPC Buildout Analysis for Sturbridge, 2000.

A. Geology, Soils and Topography

• Canton-Montauk-Scituate Soils: Nearly level to steep, very deep, well-drained soils on

• Merrimac-Hinckley-Windsor Soils: Nearly level to steep, very deep, excessively drained

Taxonomic State Most Recent

E. Fisheries and Wildlife

Taxonomic State Most Recent

F. Scenic resources and unique environments

a. Surface water pollution

b. Identified Polluted Sites in Town

It is intentionally difficult to remove a property’s permanent protection status so that it may be

Total Land Area Total Amount of Protected Land as % of Total

Parcels of Interest, Parcel ID Column Above. Various Parcels:

1. Walker Pond Assoc (3 parcels) – 675-1724-053 (13.16a), 1744-137 (30.14a), 493-1715-

Largest recreational sites and activities:

B. Goals and Objectives

• Preservation of significant parcels of presently undeveloped land; implement completion

3. Flexible development and residential density

B. Summary of Community’s Needs

SCORP 2000/Needs Assessment:

Regarding the recreational needs of special populations including handicapped individuals,

C. Management Needs, Potential Change of Use

1. Continue the Work of the Town’s Open Space Committee

The committee’s various charges include:

2. Prioritization for open space acquisition

3. Land Acquisition and Long-range Capital Plan

b. Identify methods to preserve and promote streetscapes.

d. Acquire and protect areas critical for water supplies.

e. Identify all municipal-owned parcels and make recommendation for Conservation

3. Provide and Promote Recreational Opportunities for all Residents

a. Provide inclusive passive and active recreational opportunities, resources, and

b. Improve access to the riverfront and to ponds.

c. Ensure sufficient supply of playing fields for team sports.

d. Incorporate recreational needs and facilities in the Town’s capital budgeting

a. Complete process of planning and preserving trail and greenbelt corridors.

a. Increase public awareness and support of open space.

Goal Activity By whom? When?

Goal Activity By whom? When?

OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

Planning Bd ongoing Implement Scenic Road bylaw.

TOWN MEETING/FINANCE COMMITTEE

OPEN SPACE USE COMMITTEE

Burns, Brian. Sturbridge, a pictorial history. 1988.

E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Basic Studies, Sturbridge, MA 1964.

E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Comprehensive Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1965.

E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Master Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1988.

E.H. Lord-Wood Associates, Planning Consultants. Master Plan, Sturbridge, MA 1971.

Town of Sturbridge, annual Town Reports.